Question for the engine builders. SBF 302

[nordic454]

Hey guys, I am just about ready to drop my motor back in my ‘65 mustang project. While the motor was on the stand, I basically did a clean up. New paint, valve covers, and most bolt on accessories. I pulled and cleaned the timing cover, and re installed with new water pump, new valve covers, new oil pan, installed new intake gaskets, t stat o ring etc...
what I want to know is if I can pressure test for coolant leaks on the stand? My thoughts were to cap off the lower outlet(water pump) plug/cap the heater hoses, and fill with coolant at the t stat housing until full, then put a gauged pressurizing cap there, and pump it up. Is this something that is doable, and will show any potential leaks before I get everything in and hooked up?
Thanks

 

[Justfishing]

You could do it with air pressure. Get a couple of expandable rubber plugs. Rig on with an Schrader valve. Look at the radiator cap and don't exceeds it's pressure about 15 psi

 

[wzuber]

good looking motor dude.
well, you'll know how well sealed it is cold. At operating temps, expanded, torquing and under load not so much.r