Any reason I couldn't run the engine without the drive attached?

[lonewolf41]

5.0 GXI with SX-C1 drive. I have the new motor put in and wanted to be sure I have everything hooked up correctly and its ready to go and runs before putting the drive back on in case I have to pull it back out for some reason. I have the hose connection on the raw water intake hose going to the raw water pump so I can get water to the pump/motor without issue. I'll obviously lose some water out the transom where the outdrive connects, but I can't see any reason that running it like this will be an issue. Am I missing something?

TIA

 

[Fun Times]

Nope, no issues with the drive removed as long as you run water to the engine with moderate water pressure, you should be good to start the engine and check basic things over.

 

[tpenfield]

I’ve run my engines without the drives. Just a matter of making sure you are getting water to the raw water pump.
I prefer to do compression tests without the drives, and run the engines to get them warmed up.

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

Yeah your good as long as your running water in it with a garden hose etc.

 

[lonewolf41]

Thanks all. I couldn't see an issue, but things have snuck up on me before that I missed and I didn't want to ruin a brand new motor.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I run my VP without the drive all the time. I made up a hose that jumps from 1" to 1-1/4 and run the hose directly to the raw water pump

 

[ScottinAZ]

back when I was rebuilding me Galaxy, I stuck a hose end on the long side of the water hose to the transom (before I hooked it to the through hull) and screwed the hose directly to the garden hose... the engine doesnt care whether it gets its water from the lake, hose, or what have you... it just wants water (normal flow restrictions apply, the hose is the limiting factor). If there is a pump, hook it up so water is going through the pump first so you dont smoke the impeller..... on your VP drive, I would either hook it to the input side of the engine mounted pump, or just hook it where the water inlet goes through the transom and leave the connections outside the boat.

 

[Lou C]

Might want to stuff a rag in the driveshaft bellows to keep water from the exhaust bellows from spraying into it…