Can I start it now? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**1971Stepside** · 11-27-2018, 01:25 PM

I am hoping to fire this engine sooner rather than later. Once I have the wiring, fuel, cooling, etc. in place can I start it? My question is, what do I have to have to at least start the motor while the build continues? My thought is once I have the cooling system installed, fuel system installed, stand alone harness installed, battery, etc. I should be able to fire it. I'm a long ways out on having the in cab harness, exhaust, gauges, etc. Hope this make sense on what I am trying to do.

**mongocanfly** · 11-27-2018, 02:38 PM

Wire, fuel,cool...you can start it if you use the correct wires from the engine harness...you need constant power,switch on power and all the grounds....don't forget the power steering pump...I would advise hooking up some gauges so you can see what's going on..

**1971Stepside** · 11-27-2018, 03:26 PM

Sounds as simple as I was thinking. Just wanted to make sure there wasn't a gotcha in there that I needed to be aware of.

**mongocanfly** · 11-27-2018, 03:51 PM

Has your ecm been flashed?

**1971Stepside** · 11-27-2018, 04:03 PM

At the moment no, but I will have it flashed to remove the VATs etc. and then once I am able to dyno the truck I will take it to them to set it up correctly. I just want to be able to keep the oil flowing over the next 18-24 months...or, until I hit the powerball.

Jstock85 · 11-28-2018, 10:00 AM

You'll probably need to connect the air system as well. I believe The PCM will need the MAF. Others on here may correct me.

ls1nova71 · 11-28-2018, 10:14 AM

Turn the VATS off, hook up the harness and fuel system and it will start. I start them on the garage floor all the time this way. Take the belt off so power steering fluid doesn't go all over though. You dont need coolant if you aren't going to let it run for very long.

**1971Stepside** · 11-28-2018, 11:53 AM

Thanks guys. I will have power steering hooked up, but not the prop valve. I shouldn't get the squirts if no pedal is applied.

**paul mora** · 11-29-2018, 11:14 AM

Trans lines?

**1971Stepside** · 11-29-2018, 06:07 PM

Yes, I will have trans line hooked up to the radiator before turning it over.

davepl · 12-02-2018, 10:55 AM

Spark, fuel, and compression, that's all you need (and to get that, proper harness connections to the LS ECM). If you want to RUN the thing then finish it properly, don't be in a rush. But if you just want to fire it up for a few seconds, you can do that without cooling. Heck you can do it without exhaust.

11-27-2018, 01:25 PM	#1
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Can I start it now? I am hoping to fire this engine sooner rather than later. Once I have the wiring, fuel, cooling, etc. in place can I start it? My question is, what do I have to have to at least start the motor while the build continues? My thought is once I have the cooling system installed, fuel system installed, stand alone harness installed, battery, etc. I should be able to fire it. I'm a long ways out on having the in cab harness, exhaust, gauges, etc. Hope this make sense on what I am trying to do. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

11-27-2018, 02:38 PM	#2
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,671	Re: Can I start it now? Wire, fuel,cool...you can start it if you use the correct wires from the engine harness...you need constant power,switch on power and all the grounds....don't forget the power steering pump...I would advise hooking up some gauges so you can see what's going on.. __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

11-27-2018, 03:26 PM	#3
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Re: Can I start it now? Sounds as simple as I was thinking. Just wanted to make sure there wasn't a gotcha in there that I needed to be aware of. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

11-27-2018, 03:51 PM	#4
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,671	Re: Can I start it now? Has your ecm been flashed? __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

11-27-2018, 04:03 PM	#5
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Re: Can I start it now? At the moment no, but I will have it flashed to remove the VATs etc. and then once I am able to dyno the truck I will take it to them to set it up correctly. I just want to be able to keep the oil flowing over the next 18-24 months...or, until I hit the powerball. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

11-28-2018, 10:00 AM	#6
Jstock85 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Brandon,MS Posts: 489	Re: Can I start it now? You'll probably need to connect the air system as well. I believe The PCM will need the MAF. Others on here may correct me.

11-28-2018, 10:14 AM	#7
ls1nova71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Independence Mo Posts: 4,119	Re: Can I start it now? Turn the VATS off, hook up the harness and fuel system and it will start. I start them on the garage floor all the time this way. Take the belt off so power steering fluid doesn't go all over though. You dont need coolant if you aren't going to let it run for very long. __________________ My '72 short bed build. http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...6-0-4l80e.html 5.3 swap into my RUSTY '71 C10 http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...71-c-10-a.html

11-28-2018, 11:53 AM	#8
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Re: Can I start it now? Thanks guys. I will have power steering hooked up, but not the prop valve. I shouldn't get the squirts if no pedal is applied. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

11-29-2018, 11:14 AM	#9
paul mora Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: huntington beach california Posts: 976	Re: Can I start it now? Trans lines? __________________ Pulatoy

11-29-2018, 06:07 PM	#10
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Re: Can I start it now? Yes, I will have trans line hooked up to the radiator before turning it over. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

12-02-2018, 10:55 AM	#11
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Can I start it now? Spark, fuel, and compression, that's all you need (and to get that, proper harness connections to the LS ECM). If you want to RUN the thing then finish it properly, don't be in a rush. But if you just want to fire it up for a few seconds, you can do that without cooling. Heck you can do it without exhaust. __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

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