David, The safest way to start your engine and test run it is to use a standard bell housing to bolt the starter to and a flywheel. You won't need a clutch or pressure plate, just the flywheel which has a starter ring gear for the starter to engage with. Many Dodge trucks in the mid-50s used Hemi engines so there should be some around. I have a flywheel and bell housing from a 1954 2-ton truck if you can't find one closer. E-mail me privately if you need more info. This might be more trouble than just bolting the complete transmission and radiator on and run the engine on the floor. I have used a junk front section of frame to make a temporary engine stand for this. The one I used was from a 1960 that had a sub-frame bolted to the unibody with just a few bolts. Works great, since it even has provisions to bolt the radiator support, motor mounts, and tranny mount. The one I used even still had the front wheels and could be rolled outside to run. A simple trailer hitch welded on could make it something that could be shared with other club members close to your location. Don't try to use just the converter, You'll take a chance on ruining it and make a real mess. Either use the complete tranny with Fluid or get a flywheel and bell housing. Okie Bob David Zakarian <arshog@xxxx> wrote: I'm considering starting up the Hemi before wrestling the transmission on the engine. The purpose is to make sure, with the least amount of tear-down, that all the seals hold oil(rear main and end pan seals). My concern is that to do this I need to install the torque converter. How does the converter like running without the transmission assembled to it? Any ideas or thoughts out there? All input is appreciated. Zak [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups SponsorADVERTISEMENT To send a message to this group, send an email to: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx For list server instructions, go to http://www.chrysler300club.com/yahoolist/inst.htm To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Chrysler300-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]