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Garage => Mechanicals => Topic started by: raueda1 on 11 June 2019, 05:18 PM

Title: Running engine without coolant or water pump belts for 30 seconds
Post by: raueda1 on 11 June 2019, 05:18 PM
So, in the course of removing fan and fan clutch I also removed the belts for water pump and power steering.  The car is now raised (suspension in high position).  i want to place blocks slightly under jack points and lower car down onto blocks with suspension in S position (locked).  Obviously I should have thought of this before removing fan.  :o  I'd reinstall the fan except that it's now at a polishing shop so it will soon match my gleaming, polished valve covers.

Anyway, my theory is that running the engine for the mere 30 seconds that this will take is OK.  Or is this a foolhardy adventure?  Thanks,
Title: Re: Running engine without coolant or water pump belts for 30 seconds
Post by: TJ 450 on 27 June 2019, 07:47 AM
30 seconds won't be a problem, I wouldn't run it much longer though just in case.

Tim
Title: Re: Running engine without coolant or water pump belts for 30 seconds
Post by: raueda1 on 27 June 2019, 11:17 AM
Quote from: TJ 450 on 27 June 2019, 07:47 AM
30 seconds won't be a problem, I wouldn't run it much longer though just in case.

Tim
Thanks.  That what I figured.  FWIW I googled around after no other responses and learned that this is actually a very common practice at junkyards and the like.  They pull an engine out of a wreck and see if it starts after a crank or 2.  The engine is then sold "tested in running condition."  To be sure, I'd never run it longer.
Title: Re: Running engine without coolant or water pump belts for 30 seconds
Post by: rumb on 27 June 2019, 01:03 PM
I used to go the Flathead drag races. Those old boys run with no water. They probably get 30-60 seconds at the line and then <8 seconds down the quarter mile.  Quite impressive.
Title: Re: Running engine without coolant or water pump belts for 30 seconds
Post by: OLDGOLD on 02 July 2019, 08:02 PM
Once when driving about 10 miles away from home on a Saturday morning, I heard a loud knocking noise from the engine compartment,  then it stopped all of a sudden and the dash lit up. The engine noise was significantly more quiet without the belts running as they had flown off lol.

I parked, had breakfast for an hour, then drove at 80mph all the way to the dealership 10 miles away with no belts and of course no power steering. By then time I got there nearly all of the coolant had boiled out and my crankshaft pulley was on its last bolt as the others had backed out. Any one ever had this happen?

I'm not sure how long I had driven with no coolant before it boiled out, but it probably took me about 15-20 minutes to get it to the dealer once started. I have no reason to believe that any damage has been done as it drives like a dream and runs well.

Just thought I'd share...