On the meter, while you could modify the internal circuitry to provide the load, you would also have to change the faceplate of the meter to show the correct range of voltage under test. A expanded scale voltmeter zeros in on a specific range of voltage that you are testing. A regular meter's scale usually starts at 0 volts on the left side of the meter's faceplate, a meter made for our hobby would usually start at 4 or so volts for the receiver and about 9 volts for the transmitter readings. You're just better off buying one that's already calibrated for the range we normally check for our receiver and transmitter packs. Tower Hobbies online lists some good ones from Hobbico as well as their own brand.
I have started a Saito 1.80 fourstroke with a chicken stick with no problem. As long as the engine is well broken-in and tuned correctly, you should be able to crank it up with a chicken stick or other suitable item. A fellow modeler at our field made a hand starter for his large glow and gas engines out of a golf club handle! The padded grip on the handle won't damage the prop and the extra length gives him more leverage on those big, high-compression engines.
Please don't apologize for the questions, that's what this forum is all about!

Jesse