Starting motor with tranny unattached Possible problems?

[Daisywheels]

Long story short: Could not get torque converter seated due to bad pump and/or TQ.

My main concern is that I will ruin the fly wheel if replacement motor does start and then grind against tranny bell housing. I could wait until I get tranny removed, but if the motor is no good, the truck goes to the junkers. I'm at my wits end and now just looking to see if replacement motor will actually run.

Thoughts or concerns I should be aware of? Thanks! -DW

ETA: The TQ is not currently installed.

 

[koda2000]

I'm not sure what your current state of assembly is, if the trans is still in and the TC is not fully seated in the pump you will damage the pump if you start the engine.

If the trans is out and the TC is not attached to the flexplate (what you're calling the flywheel) it will not hurt anything to start the engine.

If the trans is in and the TC is 1/2 way installed but not bolted to the flexplate I would not start the engine. Too much stuff moving around at high speed.

 

[Daisywheels]

I'm not sure what your current state of assembly is, if the trans is still in and the TC is not fully seated in the pump you will damage the pump if you start the engine.

If the trans is out and the TC is not attached to the flexplate (what you're calling the flywheel) it will not hurt anything to start the engine.

If the trans is in and the TC is 1/2 way installed but not bolted to the flexplate I would not start the engine. Too much stuff moving around at high speed.

No, the TC is not installed, but the flexplate is inside the tranny bell housing, and it looks a bit uneven in there. I left the tranny where it was. It seems it might rub and grind off some teeth? I'm just looking to start the motor safely without taking the driveline off and move the tranny back. I just need to put the upper intake back on before turning it over, oh, and the starter. Thanks! -DW

 

[koda2000]

No, the TC is not installed, but the flexplate is inside the tranny bell housing, and it looks a bit uneven in there. I left the tranny where it was. It seems it might rub and grind off some teeth? I'm just looking to start the motor safely without taking the driveline off and move the tranny back. I just need to put the upper intake back on before turning it over, oh, and the starter. Thanks! -DW

If there's a couple of bolts in the bell housing the flexplate teeth shouldn't ever touch anything. Without the weight if the TC the engine may not idle very well, but running it briefly shouldn't hurt anything.

 

[Daisywheels]

If there's a couple of bolts in the bell housing the flexplate teeth shouldn't ever touch anything. Without the weight if the TC the engine may not idle very well, but running it briefly shouldn't hurt anything.

Okay, do you think two side bolts from bellhousing to motor would be enough? And should I tighten them down or just get them to grab, maybe a 1/4 inch in? Right now, there are no bolts in the bell-housing to motor.

 

[koda2000]

Okay, do you think two side bolts from bellhousing to motor would be enough? And should I tighten them down or just get them to grab, maybe a 1/4 inch in? Right now, there are no bolts in the bell-housing to motor.

I'd snug them up just to be safe.

 

[Daisywheels]

I'd snug them up just to be safe.

Ok..will do. Thanks..