My adopted brother and I are currently working on building an engine test/ run stand mounted on a small trailer. We started off with this little trailer we found on CL. The previous owner pulled it behind a Spyder and used it for camping. We pulled off the storage containers and cooler and added some aluminum angle for a radiator mount... The radiator came out of my 96 Chevy 1500 that got flooded last spring. We want the radiator to be easily removable for transport so a pair of rubber straps will hold it in place when it's in use... A stout 2x12 will provide a mount for the bell housing at the rear... I'm currently working on the gauge and control panel and will post more pics as the project comes along...
Finally got around to working on the control panel for this as I have a new motor that needs to go on it for break-in. I plan on tackling the wiring tomorrow but the basic assembly of the panel itself is done. .
Not digging on the wood so much. But I bet the engine is pretty secure being bolted to the transmission housing. I fired one up on the ground one time braced with wood. And it was resting on the headers also. Sucker about flipped over with a quick blip of the throttle to 2500 rpm. It was a bone stock smogger late 70's 350 with headers. Last time I tried that trick. I assume you will install a radiator? That would be a good way to break-in a cam and engine and if it fails it will be easy to remove.
You can see the radiator mounted in the 2nd & 3rd pic in the thread. You just can't see it in those last few pics. I still have to run hoses to it and install all the ground cables and fuel supply. We are going to make a pair of adjustable front struts out of two chain binders like this, with modified ends.
AH yes I see the radiator now. Good on you building something better than wood outriggers. I have thought of doing what you have set up . But I got older and all my hot rod buddies went away for a while. Families and life you know. All our kids are grown now and they are back looking for that fun powered car again. Some are for their kids
As an added side note, the temporary wood struts are through-drilled and bolted to the motor mounts. It's not just propped up. We want to be able to mount any kind of engine on this thing so the struts need to be adjustable, leading us to use the binders. My brother is a truck driver and has dozens of them.
Now that looks like fun! Id make a few changes for safety reasons, but other than that. Heck yea man!
Hey David, Long time no see. What's been going on? What changes do you see? We're always interested in constructive input. Give me a call sometime.
The little Chevy 350 ran like a champ and the wood struts held up just fine... Next up, we loaded up my brothers Pontiac 400, 6X heads, Ram Air IV cam, Edelbrock intake, Holley 850 carb and Hooker ceramic coated headers... This thing is a beast ! ! ! Runs great, instant throttle response and huge amounts of torque. This thing revs instantly like a small block Chevy, even swinging a 30# flywheel... Still no issues with the wood struts even though this thing tries to flip the trailer over... .
