I am still waiting on the new speedo cable for my car. I just got the new 383 put in. Can I start the car with it in park, or will the tranny pump still be pushing fluid? I am unsure and have never heard of anyone attempting this. I know that the speedo cable being gone will leave a hole that fluid can potentially leak out of, but I want to get the new motor fired and start getting it broke in. Should I put in as musch fluid as it will take before reaching the level of the hole? Any comments on this.....safe or not....won't be driving it, just leaving it in park. Plug the driven gear hole maybe? I thought I once heard that the pump only works when the engine is in gear. Should be safe then right? I just don't want to burn my new StreetFighter up.
Let me know what y'all think.

 

The pump is driven by the torque converter. If the engine is running then the torque converter is spinning.

If you really want to run the engine, unbolt the torque converter from the flexplate.

From looking at your combination, high 11's should be obtainable. The carb might be too small.

 

I didn't think about unbolting the converter!
I think I'll do that!!!!!
Thanks for the idea:hail:

 

I had a special built TH400 that was installed by a shop as it turned out at the same time as the a new engine. Well the guy was apparently more interested in getting coolant in to the engine and playing with the carb and timing than thinking about the tranny. You would not believe the damage that it did to the pump! The funny thing is that the car would still bark the tires on the 1-2 shift but it had a LOOONG delay going into gear when first started! When I pulled the tranny apart the pump clearances were still perfect on the top side BUT the outer gear would pivot back and forth about 1/2"!

In other words, either disconnect the converter and tie it back or don't do it!

 

I've always heard that your not supposed to let the torque converter rest on the seal. If you un-bolt it and slide it back, it will be sitting on the seal and could deform it; depending on how long you leave it like that.
Any old tranny guys out there that can back this up?

I would service the tranny with the proper amount of fluid, and either plug the hole somehow or leave it open with a drain pan under it and re-check fluid level very frequently. Also you could monitor the amount of leakage and plan re-fills accordingly.

I know how you feel though.
I haven't even started on my 383 project and I'm already getting anxious to hear it run.

 

Yeah I've kinda decided to wait.......it should only be another few days.