Originally posted by tcodi
I'm gonna be wiring up an engine for the first time ever soon. I'm also gonna be changing a cam for the first time, so when I get the new cam in I want to be SURE the engine will start right away so I don't have to crank on it forever.
Therefor, I want to fire up the engine as is before I change the cam. I'm just gonna drop it in place, no cooling system, no belts at all, no tranny.
I would'nt want to start the engine (Especially a fresh engine) with no coolant. It doesn't take long to heat things up. Don't want to warp or crack anything. A quick start and stop probably wouldn't hurt, but why risk it.

No tranny. Are you planning to support a running engine with only the side motor mounts?? Tranny helps hold the engine in the car by (Trans tail shaft mount).

The best insurance for protecting the new cam is to make sure it's lubed properely during installation, and then spin the oil pump before you install the dist. so it gets oil pressure immediately @ initial start-up.

Not wiring the alt. right away won't hurt anything, as long as there's a charge in the batttery to start/run the engine.