Never done it or though about it, but i have a vehicle thats been sitting for a while without a transmission and i want to see how it runs still!

may sell it for camaro parts

could this damage anything?

 

Well, for starters there's very little supporting the engine without a transmission. What exactly this means for you, I don't know. I can't really think of any other major issues. The flywheel will weight CONSIDERABLY less because there is not clutch/torque converter bolted to it, so enjoy the throttle response. I've never done it but at the moment I can't imagine any major problems and I probably wouldn't hesitate to do it myself if I really needed to.

 

I fired one up sitting on the floor. It had a jack stand on either side under the motor mounts and sat on the oil pan. Didn't even have exhaust manifolds. I was selling the engine and the buyer wanted to know if it would run. Put a fuel line into a gas can, used a battery to jump the starter and fired it up. Didn't even have coolant. Flames were shooting out the exhaust ports but it ran and he bought it.

Installed in a car without a tranny, I'd at least support the back of the engine. The exhaust is the only thing keeping it from tipping back on the engine mounts. A floor jack or a bottle jack and a 2x4 under the oil pan is enough.

I've built a few engine stands and I build them so if I ever wanted to, I could fire the engine up while it's bolted to the stand. Never had to do it yet. Just need to leave enough room for the flexplate to clear.

 

thanks darkshot. i may just try it tomorrow! haha.

and thanks stephen 87 iroc, if it still runs as good as it did a year ago, i may just get all fired up and fix the **** and sell it(finally)