The Ford Barn

700rpm · 02-03-2014, 12:12 AM

Have any of you have built some kind of home-made frame on which you could mount an engine and test-run it safely?

Mike V. Florida · 02-03-2014, 12:29 AM

Many have, some use an old cut frame, some modify a shopping cart so they can wheel it around. The limit is your imagination and what you have on hand.

This is from TK in LA

Tom Wesenberg · 02-03-2014, 12:48 PM

What Mike just pictured is exactly how I'd make one. It does the job safely, is easy to make, and doesn't take up much space.

MikeK · 02-03-2014, 01:43 PM

Beware of torque reaction! Quite a few auto engines have been flipped sideways with their run-in stands by abruptly opening or closing the throttle. A temporary outrigger clamped to each side of the stand base and extending out would be prudent. A 6' 4x4 and a couple heavy C clamps would suffice for an A. Just a thought.

28ACoupe · 02-03-2014, 01:47 PM

It is easy to build a test stand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 700rpm

Have any of you have built some kind of home-made frame on which you could mount an engine and test-run it safely?

Tom Wesenberg · 02-03-2014, 01:48 PM

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Good point Mike, and for that reason the stand could be made even lower, unless you plan to run the engine long enough to have to drain the oil.

jm29henry · 02-03-2014, 01:55 PM

many people build stands if you belong to a local model a club maybe a member would lend it to you!!!

700rpm · 02-03-2014, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1930 coupe

Made this one from a combine stand.

That's pretty neat, but I can't figure out what you've got your gas tank stand bolted to.

Great Lakes Greg · 02-03-2014, 03:12 PM

I have seen engines run in a big truck tire. Put the oil pan down in the center and it just rests in there. Obviously not the safest option, but it seems adequate.

bart78 · 02-03-2014, 05:24 PM

Found this setup in a barn.

bart78 · 02-03-2014, 05:27 PM

It ran a old hay baler. But will be my engine stand.

700rpm · 02-03-2014, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bart78

It ran a old hay baler. But will be my engine stand.

That's a good one too. Do you suppose they cranked it to start it?

bart78 · 02-03-2014, 06:57 PM

No it starts with the key. It's like the took all from the firewall forward and used it. Has a model a transmision on it allso. And the thing to put the belt on after it.

700rpm · 02-03-2014, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bart78

No it starts with the key. It's like the took all from the firewall forward and used it. Has a model a transmision on it allso. And the thing to put the belt on after it.

I see the belt pulley, but I don't see a starter.

bart78 · 02-03-2014, 10:46 PM

The old guy said he took it off. He said he had it rebuilt to use a tractor shows.

whirnot · 02-03-2014, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeK

Beware of torque reaction! Quite a few auto engines have been flipped sideways with their run-in stands by abruptly opening or closing the throttle. A temporary outrigger clamped to each side of the stand base and extending out would be prudent. A 6' 4x4 and a couple heavy C clamps would suffice for an A. Just a thought.

I would definitely agree, I would give it a wider stance, for that reason. Clamping something also scares me as you may be tinkering away and not notice the vibration shaking a clamp loose.

TK in LA · 02-04-2014, 12:32 PM

Here are some other pictures of my test stand that is a work in process. Made from all scrap material, mostly 1/4 and 3/16 in steel. It is about 2ft wide, 33" long and about 25" from the ground at the rear motor mount. The stand is high enough to allow your cherry picker underneath. Space on the side holds the battery and misc. tools still allowing room to remove the pan if desired or just changing the oil. Very stable and have never had an occasion for it to torque or try to tip over. Maybe with a blower at full throttle but for a standard A motor, no problem. I've added a step down for the Radiator to allow for use of my 30/31 radiator with a 28/29 top neck. Any questions? More Pictures? Dimensions?

jkeesey · 02-04-2014, 12:49 PM

Heres mine. I would be the shopping cart guy.

28Ca8149 · 02-04-2014, 01:26 PM

I was at Fred Heidricks by Woodland CA, years ago, where they have a large collection of machines and he showed me a thing he made to crank an engine .It was a electric motor with a gear box and a crank to fit the engine mounted on a stand with wheels to move it around . When he hit the switch the motor would turn over .I have a 3/4 HP drill that I put a crank in it to fit my A and ran my engine to brake it in and this engine was hard to crank by hand .

mrraford · 02-04-2014, 01:40 PM

I've got one in a stand similar to the gleaner shown above but mine sets lower to the floor. Works like a champ. I had to build a frame to hold the gas tank and wiring.
The most difficult part of setting it up is attaching a muffler.
The comment about torque is valid but with mine setting lower it is less of an issue. Had mine running and idling with a full weight flywheel attached just a few days ago.

02-03-2014, 12:12 AM	#1
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	Suggestions wanted on testing an engine not on a frame Have any of you have built some kind of home-made frame on which you could mount an engine and test-run it safely? __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

02-03-2014, 12:29 AM	#2
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Suggestions wanted on testing an engine not on a frame Many have, some use an old cut frame, some modify a shopping cart so they can wheel it around. The limit is your imagination and what you have on hand. This is from TK in LA __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II Last edited by Mike V. Florida; 02-03-2014 at 12:39 AM.

02-03-2014, 12:48 PM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Suggestions wanted on testing an engine not on a frame What Mike just pictured is exactly how I'd make one. It does the job safely, is easy to make, and doesn't take up much space.

02-03-2014, 01:43 PM	#4
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Windy City Posts: 2,919	Re: Suggestions wanted on testing an engine not on a frame Beware of torque reaction! Quite a few auto engines have been flipped sideways with their run-in stands by abruptly opening or closing the throttle. A temporary outrigger clamped to each side of the stand base and extending out would be prudent. A 6' 4x4 and a couple heavy C clamps would suffice for an A. Just a thought.

02-03-2014, 01:48 PM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Suggestions wanted on testing an engine not on a frame Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Good point Mike, and for that reason the stand could be made even lower, unless you plan to run the engine long enough to have to drain the oil.

02-03-2014, 01:55 PM	#7
jm29henry Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: michigan Posts: 1,126	Re: Suggestions wanted on testing an engine not on a frame many people build stands if you belong to a local model a club maybe a member would lend it to you!!!

02-03-2014, 03:12 PM	#9
Great Lakes Greg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,369	Re: Suggestions wanted on testing an engine not on a frame I have seen engines run in a big truck tire. Put the oil pan down in the center and it just rests in there. Obviously not the safest option, but it seems adequate.

02-03-2014, 05:24 PM	#10
bart78 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stephenville tx Posts: 1,019	Re: Suggestions wanted on testing an engine not on a frame Found this setup in a barn.

02-03-2014, 05:27 PM	#11
bart78 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stephenville tx Posts: 1,019	Re: Suggestions wanted on testing an engine not on a frame It ran a old hay baler. But will be my engine stand.

02-03-2014, 06:57 PM	#13
bart78 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stephenville tx Posts: 1,019	Re: Suggestions wanted on testing an engine not on a frame No it starts with the key. It's like the took all from the firewall forward and used it. Has a model a transmision on it allso. And the thing to put the belt on after it.

02-03-2014, 10:46 PM	#15
bart78 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stephenville tx Posts: 1,019	Re: Suggestions wanted on testing an engine not on a frame The old guy said he took it off. He said he had it rebuilt to use a tractor shows.

02-04-2014, 01:26 PM	#19
28Ca8149 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Alberta CA Posts: 109	Re: Suggestions wanted on testing an engine not on a frame I was at Fred Heidricks by Woodland CA, years ago, where they have a large collection of machines and he showed me a thing he made to crank an engine .It was a electric motor with a gear box and a crank to fit the engine mounted on a stand with wheels to move it around . When he hit the switch the motor would turn over .I have a 3/4 HP drill that I put a crank in it to fit my A and ran my engine to brake it in and this engine was hard to crank by hand .

02-04-2014, 01:40 PM	#20
mrraford Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 190	Re: Suggestions wanted on testing an engine not on a frame I've got one in a stand similar to the gleaner shown above but mine sets lower to the floor. Works like a champ. I had to build a frame to hold the gas tank and wiring. The most difficult part of setting it up is attaching a muffler. The comment about torque is valid but with mine setting lower it is less of an issue. Had mine running and idling with a full weight flywheel attached just a few days ago.