2012 at the Hammond Barn

[8threcce]

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

Hi Bob

Last welding project that I used for demonstrating plasma cutting and mig welding was engine test stand, but I've got four of them now so I needed a new demonstration project. Your ram units will make a good practical and useable demonstration because they can be completed in a days demonstration with lots of hands on welding.

Cheers Phil

Phil

Do you have a drawing of the engine stand?? Will soon need one

Pieter Bergman (8th recce)

[RHClarke]

Not too sure how much time we have left before the world ends, but here are two more signs:

The first photo: Ants that eat modular tentage; and
The second photo: Bob and Grant organizing the barn.

The modular center was stored in a shed and a very large colony of ants made their home in the folds of the material. We didn't notice the ants when we picked up the tarps, but when Bob unloaded the truck on Sunday morning the back of the Ford was crawling with the lil buggers. It must have been a tough winter for the ants to attempt to eat that stuff, but they seemed to have survived quite well.

Bob and Grant were looking to gain some more floor space in preparation for Bob's next weird science project - a perfectly level platform for measuring frame deviation...Bob will elaborate. It was a nice surprise to catch them in the act of cleaning up.

[Phil Waterman]

Originally Posted by 8threcce

Phil

Do you have a drawing of the engine stand?? Will soon need one

Pieter Bergman (8th recce)

Hi Pieter

Have my original plans but really should update them as the stand has now evolved through four that I have made. All basically same but with small improvements.

Base frame of all of them I have built are identical most of the improvements have been for the rear engine mounts to make the stand more adjustable. Next major change will be to improve the instrument panel to make it more rigid, currant one is not strong enough to push the engine stand around (it is just the right height to want to) the radiator support supports are strong enough to push the stand around with no problems.

Cheers Phil

[Bob Carriere]

....one word of caution....

When building the ramp..... the front separate rectangualr section is a bit short in the flat area...mine was 18 inches plus 2x 2 inch tube cross section for a total of 22 inches........ I would strongly recommend at least 4 preferrably 6 inches longer if you intend to use a 20 inch tire..... because when you remove the back ramp section it is a bit short......

Meanwhile will look forward to the plan or sketch of your engine stand and some explanation of the rear (adjustable ? ) engine support to the bell housing.

I am gradually collectig supplies for my rotisserie.....

Bob

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Guys

Been working on a new measured drawing of the Engine Test Stand. Will try and finish it this week.

Just to tease here is a little image.

Cheers Phil

[Bob Carriere]

What about the optional instrument panel you were going to retro fit....???

I'm going to wait for the Version 2.001 for all the latest debugging....

Thanks Phil

The Barn Gang

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Bob

You hit the nail on the head, revising the instrument panel based on what I have learned is one of the the things I wanted to refine in the design.

Things like putting all the electrical components and gauges to one side to cut down on accidental short circuits. Along with making the instrument panel supports strong enough that the stand can be pushed around by pushing on it. The radiator supports (2nd generation) is strong enough to easily push the stand around. Being able to remove the instrument panel completely and quickly also makes cleaning of the engine or painting easier.

The general layout also accommodates being able to remove the oil pan or head from the engine while the engine is on the stand.

Your question about the rear engine support is also one of those things that has gone through several generations to reach a version that will easily take either version of the rear engine mounts used on the 216 as well as the later engine mount design of the 235 or 261.

The test stand is also intended to take the Ford V8 though I have not tried putting one of those on it yet.

One of the other things that I have found is that the engine stand also works quite nicely for moving HUP bodies around on the shop floor when used in pairs.

Cheers Phil

[Bob Carriere]

.... a spare CMP frame....one beyond restoration..... would you consider cutting out the front section and mounting on a spare traielr axle with small tires.

The frame is ready set to take any Chev 6 cyl.
...........easily supports a rad (CMP or others )
................access all around......
......and all at a nice height to work on....
.......... easy to manoeuvre around on rough ground or move outside the barn.

Don't want to keep all the heavy springs and axle casting....maybe two stub trailer hubs and 12 inch tires.... open in the centre for oil pan access.

I have the spare frame....only the front part is any good. would cut off leaving the T case cross member support. With a large 8 or 10 inch swivel third wheel could be moved by hand on the barn floor...... hitched to the tractor I can easily move it to the back field when not in use.

My main concern is having the engine higher off the ground for the old guys who work in the barn.... yet wide enough not to be tippy.

With the small tires at the 1/3 point from the front it would be easier than bending over the CMP tires.

I like the idea of a removable instrument panel.... for painting as you says but also to ease engine installation and safe storage when the stand is in the back field..... same for the battery tray.....and removable plastic fuel tank from an outboard motor.

Maybe it's time I put all my late night ideas to a practical assembly model.

Still wish you lived closer.... the two of us could be dangerous !!!!!

Bob