Does anyone have pictures of a flathead bolted to an engine stand that can be started and run this way? I have a 53 Merc engine, but I had to remove the flywheel to mount it to my stand. I'm hoping someone has better ideas to be able to start it and run it on the stand. Thanks
I wouldn't think running a flathead, or any other engine for that matter, on an engine stand would be the safe thing to do Buy or build a dedicated run stand. They aren't that hard to build or expensive to buy.
It would probably just be easier to fabricate a stand, or modify an engine stand to mount in a better location.
Your typical "engine stand" is not a platform for running an engine - too unstable. It's designed to allow you to rotate the engine as you build/assemble it. As just suggested above, purchase yourself a dedicated four (or more) wheeled frame designed to properly stabilize the engine while running. There's a lot of torque involved in rotating masses - ask any pilot. Do it the safe way...you'll save yourself a lot of grief. dj
Best test platforms that I've seen are front sections of old car or truck frames converted to stationary use. Weld on some legs and you have yourself a test stand.
At the junkyard we used to run engines all the time when they were on dollys. The dolly had vertical parts that the oil pan rail set on. Sort of like this, but different....they were not as tall, and the vertical parts were just 1x1/4" steel bars. I'd think about making a wood pallet or something to set it on, make sure there's no way for it to flip over or fall over.
There is a video of a dude on youtube running a flathead that is sitting on the floor of his garage, maybe on a tire or something.. He starts playing with the carb, and the thing looks like it is going to take off across the floor.. with the fan blade going.. Didn't look too smart. I was thinking about making a cradle out of scrap 2x4's and putting wheels on it, just to roll around in my garage. But would still be a little scared to start an engine on it, unless it was strapped down..
Here is the one i've been working on. Not quite finished yet. Needs to be wired and the exhaust isn't built yet. Made from pieces from an A frame, a '37 front crossmember and scrap.
I will definately build a floor stand for it. It's going to be a display engine anyways so I might as well be smart about it. Thanks guys
this guy started just a stand a few years back then got side tracked. But just across the street found this one.
Simple and affective. 4 casters, some square tubing, old radiator and a switch. I use this stand to hold the motor and allow me to move it out of my way and as a bonus I can fire it up now and then to keep it frest until I finish the build it will go into. Click link for vidio clip. http://s16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/?action=view¤t=MOV09616.mp4 Kevin LFD Inc.
If you can lay your hands on an old grocery shoping cart, they make a great engine stand. Cut off the basket, and strengthen the back, I lengthened mine a foot. The casters work good with an engine on it. I welded uprights on the back with many holes to line up with different bell housing bolt holes. If its a big HP engine, you may have to stand on the left side when you wing it.
Been using this one for years, made it myself with old parts laying around, and a set of jag 12v fans......
Ive built 2 of them in the past, first was very quick and dirty, second was set up for SBC SBF, a friend and I were rebuilding them to sell and ran the engine for the buyer. steel tube or angle. plenty of base to stabilize it, room for headers/ manifolds, starter, flywheel. battery tray, swap meet gauges, tach, radiator. depends on what youre trying to do, start up and break in on cam needs some RPM.
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