the short answer is this. you need positive to power the coil which is hooked to a GM hei module which is hooked to the distributor. second , power to the starter solenoid and starter. third is fuel. ground everything to the block. this is how I broke in my 440 chained to the floor of a 30 ft. trailer . as long as the timing is good it will run as long as the battery has enough juice to supply the coil.