Rear main seal replacement
 

HI all - anything I should be concerned about if I want to start the engine with the transmission off the flywheel? I dropping it to replace a clutch that I think was destroyed by excess oil from a rear main seal and I'd like to replace the seal, turn the engine on and see that the seal isn't leaking. This is my first time doing any of this type of work, so I don't want to get everything back together only to find out I fucked something up hours ago in the process.

Nah, no harm in it. BP engines are internally balanced so the flywheel being off won’t cause any imbalance issues. Idle will likely be a little erratic without the weight of the flywheel, but it won’t hurt anything

The trans holds the starter in, this won’t go well.

Ahhh, very good point. Also big duh moment; starter engages teeth on the flywheel. Not gonna work great without that either

What? You've never rope started your car?