Engine testing stand

[Rustedjunk]

Does anyone know where I can get ideas or instructions on making an engine testing stand for a flathead V8? I see people using them all over youtube.

[tubman]

I built one about 15 years ago. It's pretty simple; I started out with an appropriately sized square base made of 2X2 angle and 4 casters (don't scrimp on these). Once that was done, I decided I wanted to to be used with other engines than flatheads, so I bought a cheap "Harbor Freight" engine stand for $39.95 and cut it down and used it for the rear mount. I then used some 2X2 square tube to make the front mounts and topped them off with some quarter inch plate that mimicked the mounts on a '41-'48 Ford (Hurst engine mount kits used this as their standard base). After that, it was just making a mounting system for the radiator using 1" square tube and adding a battery box,

Where I went crazy was making the "control panel". Again, it was a frame made of 1" square tube mounted on the other end of the basic angle iron frame. I added a "dashboard" with all of the usual instruments as well as a tachometer, a vacuum gauge and an air/fuel meter. Where it got really complicated was that I made it to be able to run both 6 volt positive ground system as well as 12 volt negative ground systems (do you know you can buy 8 pole double throw/center-off toggle switches?).

I can post pictures if you need them. (No, you don't have to go crazy like I did, but I enjoy stuff like this.)

I expect "Ol' Ron" will chime in here about starting them on an old tire works just as well. He's right, but it's just not as much fun.

[Ol' Ron]

An old tire work best.

[Veeder]

Yes post a pic of the control board you made I'm past the point (and lack of space) to have a test stand but the control panel sounds cool.
As for using an old tire I think the brand of tire is key and how many miles had been put on it.

[frnkeore]

Originally Posted by Veeder

Yes post a pic of the control board you made I'm past the point (and lack of space) to have a test stand but the control panel sounds cool.
As for using an old tire I think the brand of tire is key and how many miles had been put on it.

If the brand is important, then it must have to be Firestone, as that's all Fords came with. But, it's getting hard to find 6.00 x 16 tires.

[Rustedjunk]

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Originally Posted by tubman

I built one about 15 years ago. It's pretty simple; I started out with an appropriately sized square base made of 2X2 angle and 4 casters (don't scrimp on these). Once that was done, I decided I wanted to to be used with other engines than flatheads, so I bought a cheap "Harbor Freight" engine stand for $39.95 and cut it down and used it for the rear mount. I then used some 2X2 square tube to make the front mounts and topped them off with some quarter inch plate that mimicked the mounts on a '41-'48 Ford (Hurst engine mount kits used this as their standard base). After that, it was just making a mounting system for the radiator using 1" square tube and adding a battery box,

Where I went crazy was making the "control panel". Again, it was a frame made of 1" square tube mounted on the other end of the basic angle iron frame. I added a "dashboard" with all of the usual instruments as well as a tachometer, a vacuum gauge and an air/fuel meter. Where it got really complicated was that I made it to be able to run both 6 volt positive ground system as well as 12 volt negative ground systems (do you know you can but 8 pole double throw/center-off toggle switches?).

I can post pictures if you need them. (No, you don't have to go crazy like I did, but I enjoy stuff like this.)

I expect "Ol' Ron" will chime in here about starting them on an old tire works just as well. He's right, but it's just not as much fun.

Sure. Pictures would be helpful. Thank you.

[JSeery]

I thought this design was kinda cool a while back when I was researching them.

[tubman]

That is one nice looking, functional engine stand; I'm almost embarrassed to post mine. The only redeeming factor is that it has a flathead mounted in it. Obviously, the "dashboard" is a work in process and the box fan an afterthought.

I've also had another flathead, an early hemi, and a '51 Olds "Rocket" running on it.

[JSeery]

Looks nice to me! Gotta love the dash panel!!

[Veeder]

Very nice!!

[itchy]

That control panel is pretty sweet.

[Ggmac]

Excellent, Ive got test stand envy!

[tubman]

Somebody asked me why I left so much room between the front of the engine and the radiator mount. Given the chance, I'd buy a 356 Packard, 320 Buick, or maybe even a 302 GMC in a heartbeat.