ewingr

Title comes close to covering my question. My build is coming along, and I'm not to far from being able to start.

However, I do not have exhaust yet, just headers. The bungs for the O2 sensors will need to be installed when I install exhaust.

What are thoughts about starting the engine before that, and w/o the O2 sensors?

gofastwclass

iTrader: (2)

I've done it both ways. The ideal situation is having everything connected, but reality sometimes doesn't allow for that. Sometimes you need to get to the exhaust shop to have that sort of thing completed.

Will the engine run without full exhaust or O2 sensors? Yes.
Will it run ok? Most likely.
Will you damage it? Not if only run for short periods.
Is it optimal? No.

I believe there is a video on my You Tube channel of me running my Impala with only open headers and I know there is one of my Thunderbird. The Thunderbird has been beaten on and abused since 2009 and I drove it to the store last night - no issues.

jcvett56

If you want to test fire I would keep your oxygen sensors unplugged. Air coming in from the rear/open side of the unfinished exhaust will start messing with fuel trims. So just leave them unplugged for the time being until the exhaust is finished.

ewingr

Thanks guys. This is what I expected to hear.

Relating to leaving them unplugged, thanks for that. I had actually thought about hooking them up and sticking them in the tubes, but hadn't thought of a way to do that...didn't want to burn up the connectors.

At any rate, I guess I can at least make sure it will run.