The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Initial start of rebuilt 235

I have a question regarding the initial start of my rebuilt 235. My rebuilt 235 is positioned on a wooden engine 'cradle' I built using plans from Tech Tips on this site. The 'cradle' is made of treated wood that is screwed together and is outfitted with four lockable casters.

Using this 'cradle' when initially starting my engine, prior to installing it in my truck, what might I expect to happen? What I want to know is, what precautions should I take for the 'cradle' moving when the engine starts? All four casters will be locked and I am considering taking some stronger precautions to prevent movement.

Have any of you Bolters started a 235 engine outside of your truck on a 'cradle' such as this and would you do it again? I don't want to find my engine turned over on the floor of the garage. I have put too much work into it. It will not be connected to any transmission/drive train components. So, it can't go anywhere, can it?

Thanks from John in Raleigh, NC

The engine is heavy enough it won't go anywhere when you start it. Check out the video of John's 261 being run after we built it at Stovebolt headquarters a few weeks ago. It's sitting on exactly that same type of fixture. For a lot of years my "cradle" for engine testing was a 10.00-20 truck tire sitting on the shop floor and a garden hose run into the water pump inlet. We've done break-in runs on big block Chevy and Ford racing engines that way, and as long as nobody gets frisky on the throttle, torque won't turn the engine on its side. Leave the cherry picker connected if it makes you feel more comfortable, but it really isn't necessary.
Jerry

John

I too started my engine on the exact stand. I was skeptical but said what the heck. It worked fine. good luck. Im just getting mine back together; rocker arms go on this week.

Jerry,

Thanks to you both for the 'warm fuzzies'. Where would I find the video you referred to, "Check out the video of John's 261 being run after we built it at Stovebolt headquarters a few weeks ago"?

Jerry,

Duh. I found it. Ureka!

John, I had the same question and was going to post but saw the rebuild on John's 261. You post confirmed that the cradle will work and plan to use it for the start up on my 235. Good timing for me. Thanks.

What you will find is the engine sets dead flat as it runs. Since you have no driveline, transmission, or brakes to hold it back, there is little to no torque trying to twist the engine over.

When I was young my dad would start engines sitting on the ground at the wrecking yard, before buying, to make sure they ran good.
I remember that when you gunned the throttle they would try to rock, but it was easy to hold them up.