400 sbc is nearing completion, and with other projects looming, I'm considering building a stand for running & breaking in engines. Searches didn't come up with anything, so I'll ask if anyone has such a thing and is willing to share some details (photos would be nice). A 454 is next, then a couple more sbc's and a 250-6...no motor mount issues there. I'm curious about how best to easily change over to a F*rd, etc. Fuel, cooling, instrumentation, and exhaust systems must also be addressed. All help is appreciated.
cm
If you can't fix it with a hammer and screwdriver, you need a bigger hammer. 1965 Chevy C10
I've seen quite a few steel ones on EBay. I bet if you look at the pics there, you'll be able to design and build your own. I don't have any pics from mine to share, but all I did was build a sturdy wooden,yes wood, cradle with triangle out riders,(for lack of a better descriptive word,) and attached a radiator in a frame and set a battery and portable gas tank on the garage floor. I made a small panel that held a tach, water temp and oil pressure,wired it all up and let her rip. No dyno obviously, but was just fine for cam break in and tuning.Didn't have muffler either, but I have good, understanding motor head neighbors.
You can break in the cam on a stand, but the rings need to be loaded for break-in, so it's not even practical with the engine in the car and in gear unless you can drive it. Since as stand won't see WOT or even sustained load, the radiator can be pretty small if there's a shrouded fan, either to get only air from the rad (like stock), or as a pusher only air from outside (big hose to somewhere else in the shop or outside so the rad doesn't just re-circ hot air.
Also great for bringing the engine home to start with, or taking same engine to the car wash for a bath.
Cooling system is a 5 gallon bucket held high and plumbed into the lower radiator hose. Water pump is not turning and thermostat is removed, just let watter dribble out the top hose.
Yep, that worked out perfect. Built it to go fetch an engine in Vegas, took the trailer out in the trunk of the VW diesel and assembled it there after buying the engine. Towed nicely all the way home and has been handy to have for other stuff too.
O.K. So far I'm thinking a heavy pallet-like sub-structure with interchangeable steel frames for different motor mount configurations. A fixed "dash" panel with gauges and controls (ignition switch, choke, throttle); plastic (marine?) fuel tank; radiator w/ fan & overflow tank. A separate towable subframe could be in the future...good idea. It would be nice to be able to load an engine somehow: a clutch & driveshaft to a big pump...or a generator! Hmmm. I have an old Chevy bellhousing with mounts on the sides. I remember at school the wind tunnel fan was powered by a very hopped-up 327. Thanks for the input, guys. I'll start measuring & drawings.
cm
If you can't fix it with a hammer and screwdriver, you need a bigger hammer. 1965 Chevy C10
Yep, that worked out perfect. Built it to go fetch an engine in Vegas, took the trailer out in the trunk of the VW diesel and assembled it there after buying the engine. Towed nicely all the way home and has been handy to have for other stuff too.
~ Cosmo 1949 Chevy Half Ton Rocinante, like Don Quixote, he is awkward, past his prime, and engaged in a task beyond his capacities. "...my good horse Rocinante, mine eternal and inseparable companion in all my journeys and courses." ...Don Quixote, Cervantes "If you come to a fork in the road, take it."...Yogi Berra "Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." ...Eric Hoffer
