sandy laker

What gearhead magazine had that 'homemade and handy' column at the back of each issue? Well, here's my contribution.

I seem to have the luck when installing a newly rebuilt engine. LEAKS! So I thought I'd do something about it by building a test stand. (the ones offered online were either too flimsy looking or out of my price range) It was a fun project to break in new cam and rings (this engine had roller lifters so they don't need breakin like flat tappets.)
And sure enough the oil pan gasket leaked. Not just tighten the oil pan bolts kind of leak. But remove from the test stand, drain the water and engine oil, remount to the engine assembly stand, turn upside down and remove the oil pan and (oops, forgot to drain the carb!) rubber gasket and apply sealer, then reinstall and hope for the best. Milodon said to install dry. Didn't work for me...story of my life.
Thankfully, no other leaks after 6 heat and cool down cycles.

I bought some 2x2x.250" 6061T6 aluminum square tubing and TIG welded it together. My 225 amp welder didn't have enough penetration using 100% Argon shielding gas. But a mix of 50% Argon and 50% Helium certainly did!

The rear engine mounts solid to the bell housing. But the front mounts slide forward and out to adapt for a big block engine. That aluminum bell, the Vertex mag and mechanical drive tach, and the ram's horn manifolds were laying around the shop for decades. I bought the metal, the gauges and the radiator/electric fan from ebay. Also the 6 swivel casters. The one quart gravity feed fuel tank came via Summit Racing. The battery and cables were cobbled together temporarily from parts on hand from other cars/projects.


It certainly served it's intended purpose.

I took some video with my still camera and posted it online. Crude but it serves it's purpose.

BTW, I painted the exhaust pipe ends to help from knocking my shins while walking around checking all that needs checking on a newly fired engine.

76custompaint

That is a really nice stand! Thanks for sharing!

HOOAH

That is super nice!!

Terry

AzMotorhead

Good job!
I've been wanting to make one for a while/
Just never seem to have enough time

Rowdy Rat

We built this one to test run the engine using the factory wiring harness and accessories (including transistorized ignition if so equipped). It's worked really well so far.





Regards,

Stan Falenski

persuader

Here is the one I built to run in the engine on my 77.

Ibanez540r

I saved the work and picked one up off craigslist this past summer . Home made, similar in style, with a nice "control panel" and gauges. Steel tube on large casters.

Haven't used it yet but look forward to it.

lowbuck72

Those are beauties. I made mine out a some two by fours and some old castors, cost about $5. Used a garden hose for cooling. Not pretty, but it did the job.

hamrad

This is something I need to do in the next month. Sure would like to be able to break in the cam and check for leaks on a stand.


I will probably make something out of wood. It will be only used this one time. What's the best way to cool the engine while running like this? Any other tips or tricks?


Thanks...........

Rowdy Rat

1971 LS-6 break in on the stand...


It really is nice to put an engine in a restored car that you know runs perfectly and doesn't leak!

Regards,

Stan