Starting LS1 on a stand without water?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 79
Likes: 7
Starting LS1 on a stand without water? Hello everyone;
There are a lot of YouTube videos of people starting LS1's on a stands without water/coolant of any kind. I understand if the motor is not ran for more than a couple minutes no cooling for the cylinder heads may no do any damage. However how about the water pump seal? Two micro-polished surfaces rubbing together without any lube or coolant. Doesnt seem like a good idea to me. Is this going to be harmful to the pump seal?
Would love to have opinions/experience on issue.
Thanks
Rick
There are a lot of YouTube videos of people starting LS1's on a stands without water/coolant of any kind. I understand if the motor is not ran for more than a couple minutes no cooling for the cylinder heads may no do any damage. However how about the water pump seal? Two micro-polished surfaces rubbing together without any lube or coolant. Doesnt seem like a good idea to me. Is this going to be harmful to the pump seal?
Would love to have opinions/experience on issue.
Thanks
Rick
Restricted User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
Likes: 109
From: Ohio
I start mine on a stand all of the time without a belt on the water pump. Just don't let it run for more than a minute or so at a time.
I usually fill the block through the top of the water pump and then let it slowly drain out through the holes in the thermostat. The water in the block absorbs a good bit of heat.
I usually fill the block through the top of the water pump and then let it slowly drain out through the holes in the thermostat. The water in the block absorbs a good bit of heat.
I don't run any pump dry certainly not a power steering pump but I will add this, Water pumps use a sealed bearing so they are not lubed by coolant so running one shouldn't cause any problem at all, I don't see how it would be any different than sealed wheel bearings/axle bearings/supercharger bearings and so on, The seal is there to keep water/dirt out and the grease in.
I don't run any pump dry certainly not a power steering pump but I will add this, Water pumps use a sealed bearing so they are not lubed by coolant so running one shouldn't cause any problem at all, I don't see how it would be any different than sealed wheel bearings/axle bearings/supercharger bearings and so on, The seal is there to keep water/dirt out and the grease in.
