Start engine without driveshaft?

Might be a dumb question..I was told by someone that if you start a engine without a driveshaft in place the trans will leak fluid out the tailshaft. just checking with you all to see if that is true? wanted to start my truck up but I dont have a driveshaft at the moment..

 

stuff a slip yoke in it

 

Dont have one.. So If it will leak I need to at least get a slip yoke to stick in there so I can start it up?

 

Whoa - I just realized, I need to know the answer to that question, too. Thanks for asking it. Hope someone out there has a good answer.

 

if you don't have a slip yoke put a surgical glove or a couple of balloons over the tailshaft. you can even cut up a water bottle and some tape will work.

 

Spray paint caps and hose clamps work on some too.

 

Condom

 

Yeah it'll leak. We usally use zip locks and duct tape if I do ever start it without a driveshaft.

 

Fire it up and see, that is the only way to really learn. Like others have said it will leak but is isnt pressure or anything coming out so a bag and rubberband will hold it.

 

ATF will dissolve it.

 

Must be why I have 4 kids ................

 

I've been running mine for over a year now, just to keep the engine free and lubed.
Plus it keeps me motivated to get my ride finished.
I used a spare yolk (TH350) to prevent the trans from spilling it's contents.
There's been no problems.

 

You know they sell them already lubed right?!

 

If you play around with engines and trans you should have a few of these in your tool box. A universal trans tail shaft plug. Transmissions leak out of the tail shaft when tilted enough even if they are not running. The best tool for pulling engines and not wading around in ATF. They were over 20 bucks when they first came out but they are less than 10 bucks now. Get a couple and leave it in a stored trans.

 

The answer to the question is Yes. A real simple way to stop that at Zero cost is to unbolt the converter and slide it back in the pump away from the flex plate. Quick and easy, just 3 or 4 bolts depending on converter.
The Wizzard

 

Paul got it. Unless its a standard in which case put it neutral just like you would if it were a driver and forget about it.

 

Either the plug Tommy showed or a slip yoke from a junk drive shaft will work fine. If the trans isn't completely full it probably won't puke fluid out anyhow.
If you were closer and it's a GM trans I probably have half a dozen different slip yokes out here laying around. One of your running buds probably has one if you don't want to buy one or hell just take the one of the driveshaft you haven't shortened yet and use it.

 

Ring gear made on converter, typical old ford so if I could do that, it wouldn't start!

 

Cant you remove the yoke from the driveshaft?

 

I dont have a driveshaft or slip yoke for the truck.

I'll probably get one of those plugs untill I get a new driveshaft made..

Thanks guys

 

I got a plug like Tommy showed at Harbor Freight for 3 or 4 bucks. It works great....

 

Hilarious!