Running an engine on a engine stand....
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Running an engine on a engine stand....
I'm building a display engine in my garage and thought it would be fun to make if functional. Basically junkyard parts, open headers, and the biggest cam I can get for free; all on the old L-48 engine. The stand is a four leg version from Harbor Freight and is pretty heavy duty. I know I will need to add some post from the motor mounts to the outward legs to keep it from twisting. I know this sound dumb, but why have a display engine if you can't make it work. 
Question:
Will a basic 4-speed flywheel keep the engine balanced?
Will the stock fuel pump work or do I need an electric version?
Should I just blow this off and find something else to do with my time?
Question:
Will a basic 4-speed flywheel keep the engine balanced?
Will the stock fuel pump work or do I need an electric version?
Should I just blow this off and find something else to do with my time?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
there was a post a couple of weeks ago re this and one of the guys had a picture of his 4 post engine stand that is made for this purpose....it looked cool....i know i would want a really good base and would even bolt it to the floor....
Last edited by bobs77vet; Jan 30, 2005 at 10:47 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
You are going to have to run electrical power to it to power the ignition system. If you want it ot run for more than a couple of minutes you will have to have a radiater and a fan to cool it and don't forget a fuel supply. You will want this a few feet from the engine and in a tank tha twill not catch on fire. There is more to it than just throwing it on a stand. Go look at a dyno room and look at all the stuff in there. It would be cool to see it run.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by Budman78
I'm building a display engine in my garage and thought it would be fun to make if functional. Basically junkyard parts, open headers, and the biggest cam I can get for free; all on the old L-48 engine. The stand is a four leg version from Harbor Freight and is pretty heavy duty. I know I will need to add some post from the motor mounts to the outward legs to keep it from twisting. I know this sound dumb, but why have a display engine if you can't make it work.
Question:
Will a basic 4-speed flywheel keep the engine balanced?
Will the stock fuel pump work or do I need an electric version?
Should I just blow this off and find something else to do with my time?
Question:
Will a basic 4-speed flywheel keep the engine balanced?
Will the stock fuel pump work or do I need an electric version?
Should I just blow this off and find something else to do with my time?
Why not do what Gordon suggests but also put it on a trolley?
Make a heavy duty trolley/cart for it then you can wheel it outside or take it to car show. Added bonus is when you are sick of it you can take it to a swap meet and sell it as a working engine.
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