My engine has been built for several months now. I've been dying to try to test fire it. I have no exhaust manifolds. Will it suck a valve or do other damage if I start it without them? I have a set of Chevy headers I'm thinking of modifying to bolt to it just for test fire purposes, but I'd rather not do that unless I have to.

No, it won't do anything to the engine. Your ears however ...

I'd advise waiting until you have some manifolds and exhaust on so you can listen to the engine for odd noises during the cam break-in. It makes it a lot nicer when you aren't breathing exhaust fumes while you're checking around the engine for water and oil leaks too!

ok, header modification it is. Here's my thoughts on that: If I take a piece of 1/4" steel & trace the exhaust gaskets on it to get the pattern for the holes & the general shape to cut the steel & weld it to the headers....should work???

Got any old junk yards around there? Should be some very cheap exhaust manifolds available... I got a set I would give you. Long drive though....

I would NOT crank the new engine without manifolds installed. Think of all the raw heat that will be blown directly into the engine area. Your spark wires would probably melt, amongst other things.

You would be VERY MAD at yourself for doing this.

Great points, Nash. I guess it was dumb to even consider it. I just...well, you all know.

not to mention the fire hazard..

don't let your bird go up in fire....

James, I have my old stock cast iron manifolds you can have. I'm going with long branch.

James, I have my old stock cast iron manifolds you can have. I'm going with long branch.

I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat...

you CAN edit/delete...lol repeat after me, You CAN edit/delete...

I need new glasses, I thing I am getting double vision from too much time on this computer.

Cool, Thanks, Tom! You still plannin' on coming here this weekend? I'll hook you up with a Bird part if I have something you can use.

I know Bjorn, just having a little laugh at myself. The line "I repeat myself when under stress" is from the tune Indiscipline. It's a track on the album Discipline by King Crimson.