I thought I'd share some info on an engine test stand I made a few years ago. It has proven to be a usefull and fun investment of very little $ and time. I made it out of 1" square tubing. The main frame is 6' long 26" wide and 14" tall. It sits on 7" steel casters (locking). I made a simple flat dash for it on one end with manual temp and oil pres gauge, installed a main on/off switch, wired in a start button to a Ford starter solenoid on the other end,a ballast resistor and ignition lead(all extra long), el cheapo elec fuel pump and filter . You could add as much or as little as you want and when you install a new kind of engine you may add things here and there. My cherry on top is the beat up Funny car fuel cell I scored at the CHRR swap meet a couple years ago. You'll need a small platform in one corner to strap a battery to and a couple of cables.One ground bolted to the frame and a pos to the solenoid. I made it 6" long so I'd have room for long engines with bellhousings or blower pulleys and a radiator etc. For each engine you test you have to have a starter and bellhousing (unless starter bolts to block). A radiator and elc fan can be pretty universal if you have adapter hoses.It should be easily removable. Mounts are easily made out of your square tubing with a 6" peice of 1"x1" angle welded to each end. Make them to go across the inside of the frame while the top edge of the angle rests on top of the main frame. quick and easy. Where and how it bolts to the engine will vary just make on moint for each end. When you have it sittng in the frame just put a couple of hose clamps around where the angle iron of the mounts are "saddled" to the frame, hook up fuel, wiring and radiator . You can have alot of fun with your exhaust because you have no real room restrictions. FIRE THAT BITCH UP! Now you can check oil pres, temp, idle adjustment, and check for leaks. I have had 3 engines in mine sor far. A 302 Ford, a V8 Flattie, and a Sportster Harley. Once you've had an engine on it you'll always have those particular mounts and your collection adds up as you go. I have not used mine for a brand new engine yet but I've had alot of fun checking out the used crap I drag home. If you find the oil pan leaking you have easy access to drop the pan and fix it. Ever want to do some experimenting with that carb that looks like a new on but you don't know where it came frome? Nows your chance. The only thing I bought new for this was the steel tubing, ballast resistor, and elec fuel pump. Everything else was swap meet or junkyard. I warn you that it's like a trailer, when you build it people will always be borrowing it. I enjoy that just like everything else. Brad
Where does the saddle go? That's neat. I like the oil tank mount, but that's a sporty, doesn't it vibrate the tank on-a-stick a lot?
Do you have other Strap-on cross members for other kinds of engines? I see it's got locking wheels...maybe I can adapt one of the morgue gurneys I have.... Ya got the mental wheels turning, thanks!
DrJ you slay me. The "tank on a stick" isn;t finished yet. I just stuck it in the top of the rear mount. However I could just cut the top off above the tank and spot weld it into the mount like it is and that would hold it. I am waiting on pipes before I mount the tank permanently. The saddles are in one of the photos- look for the hose clamps Brad
I have crossmembers and mounts for V8 flathead, 302, and sportster so far. I will be making some for an early Hemi when I get it finished. I have an engine fetish! I love em from giant ship engines to .049 Cox and smaller. Brad
That is really cool! I might have to make a set up like that to test the engine that I am working on. I second the tech post status on this one!
Thats really nice, I like it. Didnt someone here use a shopping cart frame for a similar idea a couple years back? You can tell Ive been gone for the past year....I cannot remember shit.
Back to the top for tech week. I guess I jumped the gun when I first posted this. Damn- I redlighted!
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