If I’ve an engine that’s been dry for a couple years and I plumb it all in, can I bypass the ignition and spin up the oil pump/ water pump without actually turning the engine over? Would this be a good idea to re-lube the dry engine before ignition?
Couple of drops of oil down the spark plug holes turn it over then plugs back in.
That’s what I’d do but then new plugs would be needed
Like shiver says, a teaspoon of oil down each plug hole
I’d be tempted to turn it over a couple of times by hand before hitting it with the full might of starter motor?
I think you’ll probably just have to go for it… Just don’t rev it above idle speed until it’s heated up to running temp or you’ll be sure to damage it.
I wanted to get some oil all round the engine though 
Drop some oil in it>turn it over by hand> then pick it up and give it a good old shake>Repeat until you collapse :hehe:
A squirt of oil down each plug hole, leave the plugs out but in contact with the engine so they spark, (You don’t want to stress the ignition circuit bits) and turn the engine a few times with several quick jabs of the starter.
Then spin it over for a few seconds.
Put the new plugs in and give it a go. If it fires, run it on fast tick over for a short while before blipping it.
Or you could just start it and see what happens. Your choice.
Is this thread a euphemism?
It’s the valve gear I would worry about. Oil down the cylinders is bottom of the list. Rocker cover off and wet up the camshaft etc… That’s the bit that will wait longest for oil and has the most potential for damage.
The oracle has spoken. Now do as he says.
what ever you choose to do, can you video it? 
I promise I will Gav
Just F-ing start it. Its old, its probably dead seeing you’ve had it!