Build That Engine Run Stand

George Jets · Jun 29, 2020

Have to laugh at myself.

Here was my "Engine Run Stand" back in 2016, or should I say "Engine Test Run on the Floor" setup. Lol . .

Want a little nicer setup this time around, and my buddy Brian in town who is a good engine builder will probably want to use it too at his garage. So yeah want to get a nice self contained setup that can be easily broken down for transportation and storage.

Thanks for the ideas everyone, lots of ways to go about things.

pishta · Jun 29, 2020

easily broken down! Seems pretty stable.

crackedback · Jun 30, 2020

Jimacuda said:
Mines more of a K frame holder than engine stand.
Its hanging on the wall of the shop when not in use, mostly out of the way.
View attachment 1715553672 View attachment 1715553675 View attachment 1715553678

An F body catch can... Say it ain't so...

George Jets · Jul 1, 2020

More progress on the Engine Run Stand:

Tilting Radiator and Support, nice to be able to move out of the way for various reasons.

Radiator positioned so factory hoses fit.

D100 factory style exhaust Y -Pipe with
2 1/4" exit.

Adding some goodies, timing light holster.

toolmanmike · Jul 1, 2020

LOOKING GOOD! A friend that builds mostly Pontiac's made this one adaptable for a buddies 408 stroker.

rumblefish360 · Jul 1, 2020

2X3 box tube that slides into box tube w/ Harbor Freight big dolly wheels so the hoist can roll under it. Remember to offset the radiator. Mine is slightly taller than the one above which I like a lot. The just hate bending over to mess with the carb or distributor hold down bolt.

George Jets · Jul 1, 2020

Set up Idler Pulley to run "Shorty Fan Belt" on engine run stand.

Won't be needing Alternator and other belts to test run engines, no electric fans to have to power either.

George Jets · Jul 2, 2020

Start and Run Options:

Have the option of running a simple new "Points Distributor" and coil, one hot wire to coil and it's ready to run.

Or use this "Electronic Distributor Run Panel", for the engines that have the electronic distributor already installed . . ready to drop into an existing vehicle.

318 Bell Housing lower inspection Cover/Shield. Nice to keep it safe and closed up with that flywheel whirling around in there.

And of course, will be starting the engines with the favorite "Mopar Mini Starters". Spin them over fast, and they start like they have fuel injection. Great for first starts on breaking in a new cam and lifters.

rumblefish360 · Jul 2, 2020

I wired a MSD & a Chrome box to the control panel.

gdrill · Jul 2, 2020

This is a friends stand that was in my shop for a while. I ran several engines on it. It is simple, basic and effective. It is wired for both points and electronic. Low to the ground. Heavy casters and folds down if needed. Sorry I don't have better pics.

George Jets · Jul 2, 2020

Engine Run Stand folds down for easy stand against the wall storage out of the way.

Will probably store in the back shed here when not in use. Same, same minimal storage space is nice.

Get my engine stand back to use when not in use as part of the run stand too.

Off to prep and paint for the Black finish coat now.

RustyRatRod · Jul 2, 2020

What size square tubing and where would you get something like that?

toolmanmike · Jul 2, 2020

gdrill said:
This is a friends stand that was in my shop for a while. I ran several engines on it. It is simple, basic and effective. It is wired for both points and electronic. Low to the ground. Heavy casters and folds down if needed. Sorry I don't have better pics.

Simple and effective

George Jets · Jul 2, 2020

@RustyRatRod

2" square tubing with 1/8" wall thickness they come in 20' lengths.

I am sure all large cities have wholesale steel suppliers. We have a steel supplier here about 80 miles away that I got my steel from.

So anyhow the in town local steel fabricating shops can order you a 20 foot stick of 2 x 2 x 20', they can cut it to your desired lengths so you can haul it. They probably have it on the shelf, very popular size.

Also you probably want a 10' length of
1 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 1/8 wall for making the engine mount stands. And something like 10" x 18" x 3/16" plate to fasten the bell housing to if mounting to an engine stand setup.

The steel fabricating shops usually have a pile of short scraps and drops that you can grab some of those for the other small brackets you want to make. Think they will sell it to you by the pound on the scrap.

RustyRatRod · Jul 2, 2020

George Jets said:
@RustyRatRod

2" square tubing with 1/8" wall thickness they come in 20' lengths.

I am sure all large cities have wholesale steel suppliers. We have a steel supplier here about 80 miles away that I got my steel from.

So anyhow the in town local steel fabricating shops can order you a 20 foot stick of 2 x 2 x 20', they can cut it to your desired lengths so you can haul it. They probably have it on the shelf, very popular size.

Also you probably want a 10' length of
1 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 1/8 wall for making the engine mount stands. And something like 10" x 18" x 3/16" plate to fasten the bell housing to if mounting to an engine stand setup.

The steel fabricating shops usually have a pile of short scraps and drops that you can grab some of those for the other small brackets you want to make. Think they will sell it to you by the pound on the scrap.

Probably General Steel in Macon, but you kinda have to "be somebody" to get decent prices.....and "I'm not". LOL

barbee6043 · Jul 2, 2020

You just call those kind of places and say (mumble) here's Joe over at "mumble" , I need a quick price on this..are ya ready? blah blah! Ypu gotta muble like you got a mouth full of Skoal.

George Jets · Jul 2, 2020

RustyRatRod said:
Probably General Steel in Macon, but you kinda have to "be somebody" to get decent prices.....and "I'm not". LOL

Steel, you get a lot of bang for the buck and can make all kinds of things with it. Nice to have extra on hand to make things with.

So yeah, just go to your local welder/fabricator. Tell them what you want to do and they will help you out. They may just give you the scrap pieces cause they have already been paid for by the job they ran through.

Go in there with some of that RustyRatRod charm, tell them you are doing classic car engines and they will want to help you out. Give them the opportunity to say, Yes !

crackedback · Jul 2, 2020

Nice compact storage. Well done!

TurboGLH · Jul 3, 2020

I love how flat it folds down, space is at a premium at my house, and I have a great view in my backyard I don't want to ruin with a bigger garage.

I'd like to see, personally, a gusset on the two side mounts, where it makes the angle change to meet the motor mounts. But otherwise great execution.

George Jets · Jul 3, 2020

Painting Engine Run Stand Parts.

Strip paint from engine stand

Ready for Assembly

Jimacuda · Jul 4, 2020

crackedback said:
An F body catch can... Say it ain't so...

Has yours gone bad?

Not to worry, ive got a few spares

George Jets · Jul 5, 2020

Different options and uses for the
Engine Run Stand.

Fold down Radiator and Shroud.

Various storage arrangements.

Stand up on it's own or up against a wall.

Set up with Radiator ready for engine.

Use as a platform moving crate for heavy engine transmission combinations or heavy car parts.

Other setups for alternative engine brands. Pictured here small block chev with steel scatter shield bell housing, chev to run stand adapter plate.

Need to build the front engine mount strut tubes tomorrow for this GM setup.

Got some friends with GM engines, so might as well be ready to help them out too.