Start engine without transmission?

[Panici]

I'm in the middle of an Auto -> 5-speed swap.

I've just replaced my Rear Main Seal, and used "Permatex MotoSeal 1" with a new "Springless" style RMS.

I'll be damned if I'm going to put the car back together just to have a leaky RMS because of the seal type, or the gasket material I used, or my improper assembly.


So my question is this:
Can I just bolt up the Auto flywheel, bolt up the starter (with a bracket/washers and shorter bolts) and start/run the engine with no transmission attached?

(Assuming I'll need to do the wiring changes needed for the 5-speed swap in order to get the car to run without the Auto trans attached/plugged in)

[whodwho]

Pull the bellhousing off the auto trans

[Panici]

Pull the bellhousing off the auto trans

Good idea! Starter should bolt right up to the bellhousing.


Any foreseen issues just running the Auto flywheel?

[whodwho]

Shouldn't be an issue other than the engine will not be supported well. You will have to rewire for the starter at the shifter

[bmwstudent]

We do this all the time when we change rear main seals in tractor trailer engines, there shouldn't be any issue once you get the starter mounted.