starting engine without coolant

[wbs]

hello_question from a newbie-i want to see if the carbueration on my newly bought moel A is working but don't have radiator ok yet-is there any harm in runnimg the car for a few srconds without coolant? thank you

[John Duden]

plug the bottom pipe with a rubber host and a big round plug, and unhook the fan belt and then fill the block with water, works for a short run, but don't run it more the 8 min

[Mitch//pa]

no harm

[jkeesey]

No harm in a few seconds. A few minutes would be okay too. I wouldn't go over 5 but certain head gasket manufacturers used to call for you to run the engine for a few minutes without coolant to seat the gaskets properly.

[wbs]

thank you all for your help

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

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Dog here, WELL, I don't know, but as Ol' Bill went to the bathroom, I hurd him mumble----"I sho' wulldn't fire one dry, I kin jist see a little spot on the head gasket sealing ring "GLOWING"!----WELL, thet's whut he sed??? (I jist wurk?? HERE!) Buster T.

[John Duden]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Dog here, WELL, I don't know, but as Ol' Bill went to the bathroom, I hurd him mumble----"I sho' wulldn't fire one dry, I kin jist see a little spot on the head gasket sealing ring "GLOWING"!----WELL, thet's whut he sed??? (I jist wurk?? HERE!) Buster T.

Unkle Bill-
I think you could fix the "fireing one dry" with a little laxative!

[Pete]

I would definitely NOT fire one dry.
Water in the block only is fine with no pump running.

[dave in australia]

Running an engine from cold for a minute or two without water will not do any harm. Or connect a garden hose to the side inlet and adjust the flow of the water so the outflow is warm to hot. Can run it that way until the fuel runs out.

[J and M Machine]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

no harm

I would NEVER recommend anyone starting up an engine without water.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by J and M Machine

I would NEVER recommend anyone starting up an engine without water.

i STAND by what i said

[Franchise_24]

Let the pi$$ing contest begin.... /sigh

[1931 flamingo]

When I was a kid i used to run a 29 s/coupe in the winter back and forth in the driveway each day in the winter for 10 min or so with NO coolant. NO problems later in the year when it got warmer. FWIW
Paul in CT

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

I also subscribe to what Mitch is saying ...and within reason but often times folks get all "anal" because in their mind it is wrong, therefore they feel the need to be vocal about it. The reason it is "wrong" to them is often times 'wrong' in reality but people only want to believe what is believable. Therefore let's explore exactly what is happening when an engine is stated without water?

IMO throughout the entire combustion chamber down through the cylinder walls, there is basically the same thickness amount of cast iron, ....and certain areas of it will always have higher temps (even when there is water on the backside). If you look at a Model-A cylinder bore, you will even see areas that do not have any water jacketing. Under a severe load (i.e.: pulling a hill, loaded excessively, retarded timing) the cast iron in certain areas will reach temps much greater than what will be seen starting an engine without coolant yet we have no problem subjecting our engines to that environment. The real reason this is acceptable for our minds is because we know the coolant will transfer the excessive heat away where we can continue driving.

So basically we must all agree that all the coolant is doing is keeping excessive combustion temps to an acceptable level. The issue is when is it too much for the cast iron, ...AND how long does an engine need to operate to reach those levels? THAT is where there will always be a discrepancy of opinion however it does take more than a couple of minutes of idle running to achieve such temps.

[Paul from Maine]

I run my Briggs and Stratton, Tecumseh, Continental and Lycoming engines for hours with no coolant with no problems! Problem with running a Model A engine with no coolant is one doesn't dare to run it long enough to thoroughly warm the engine up to boil away condensation which forms with every start up in the crankcase and exhaust system! I think you run the more risk of damaging the engine and exhaust from condensation than from overheating if you run with no coolant, so I wouldn't make a habit of running any gasoline engine for short periods of time if you don't plan on running it to normal operating temperature in the near future! Remember, one of the by products of combustion is water vapor, lots of it!

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Paul from Maine

I run my Briggs and Stratton, Tecumseh, Continental and Lycoming engines for hours with no coolant with no problems! Problem with running a Model A engine with no coolant is one doesn't dare to run it long enough to thoroughly warm the engine up to boil away condensation which forms with every start up in the crankcase and exhaust system! I think you run the more risk of damaging the engine and exhaust from condensation than from overheating if you run with no coolant, so I wouldn't make a habit of running any gasoline engine for short periods of time if you don't plan on running it to normal operating temperature in the near future! Remember, one of the by products of combustion is water vapor, lots of it!

Ok, but how much damage are you speaking of starting it once, -or maybe twice for less than 1 minute?

[J and M Machine]

Being an engine rebuilder and knowing what goes on in an engine I wouldn't advise anyone to start a "Water cooled" engine without water in it.
With two thousandths clearance between piston and wall a minute is all it would take to scuff. The damage is done.

[Kohnke Rebabbitting]

Only ignorance and a lack of basic engine knowledge would lead any one to start an engine with out water no mater how many times they got away with it.

If your that laszy, or have something to prove to somebody, or if you want warpage and cracks, go for it.

[Russ/40]

I'm with Brent. A few minutes is not going to hurt anything. Don't dragsters run dry? Even though I believe it wouldn't hurt for a brief period, I wouldn't fire a fresh build that way.

[Pete]

Dragsters do not and never have run dry!!!