I know you were looking for plans, but how about this.

[link:www.mightymount.com|mightymount]

[link:www.type2.com/rvanness/daleengs.htm|VW...Aircooled]

Yeah, I know its a VW, but there might be some good ideas there...

Mark

 

jk34. You're serious. If you want I can give you a third or fourth opinion maybe an option or two - I've been through the process a few times.



Good luck,
ray

 

OK - couple of items to respond to.


1. Search engine. I haven't been able to devise a way to search for an exact phrase using the FTE search engine. Neither single nor double quotes will do it, Paul. The best way I've found is to use Google advanced search (http://www.google.com/advanced_search?hl=en) and enter the phrase in the appropriate box plus the word FTE in the top box for single words. Using the phrase "engine test stand" and the word FTE in combination I found this thread:

Conferences Performance and General Engine Building Topic #560
"Engine test stand"
21-Jul-01, 02:16 PM (EST)

on the site. It may or may not be the one you are looking for.

If somebody has discovered a way to search for an exact phrase using the FTE engine I'd appreciate hearing about it. I'd also like to say that the search engine works just the way it says it does and I've been successful using it fairly often. I would also agree with those who say there is room for improvement. ;-)


2. Patents and selling your test stand design.

> You can sell the product without a patent and still have
>legal protection...but why bother your infringers will be do
>it yourselfers - very hard to find them out since a engine
>stand in general is not a new idea.

This is good advice. It can cost $10 to $20k to file and additional fees to maintain a patent. Because of these costs a patent is generally not advisable unless you expect someone else will manufacture and sell your unit in some quantity. A patent will not provide any legal protection against someone copying your stand for their own use (a DIYer) - and they are probably going to be your main problem. Think about it, there's nothing illegal about copying something that's patented (or copyrighted for that matter) as long as it's for your own use.

Another way to look at it is that you are selling two things - the intellectual property (drawings, parts lists, etc.) and the hardware. Once you build and sell a few you'll lose a lot of control of the intellectual property as far as DIYers are concerned. They will have access to most of the information one way or the other and make themselves a copy of the stand.

The folks who'll buy the hardware are the real market - I wonder how many there are? That's always the question when you've got a good idea! I'm not a lawyer but have a few patents and been through the process a few times. Good luck!

George

 

>There's a nice write-up on this in the current Auto
>Restorer. I have to work this weekend but if I have some
>time I could scan it for you if you're interested.
>
>Rodger

I to would appreciate this information. Please send to kchristopher@kc.rr.com

Thank you

 

I would like any info you have about ordering some plans. I plan to use the stand for my own use.

Thanks
Aaron

 

Greetings, is there anyway someone could mail me those plans for that engine test stand? I would GREATLY appreciate it. Thank you.

 

I'd also be interseted in seeing the plans for the test stand if someone could e-mail them to me

 

When I worked at a aircraft component shop I had to build my own test stand. I was a very nice set up. Only thing I did not need was a radiator for cooling the antifreeze. I did however need to make a oil cooler with an overflow tank. I had the thing mounted to a fuel cell that held 10 gallons for JP-5 and a dual battery setup for 24 volts. Reading this topic has made wonder if I could make a setup for testing all the components of the engine as well. IE... water pump flow, fuel pressure, alt output, dual exhaust temp readings, dual vacum readings, and so on. You know the ultimate in home built engine tuning. I could even put a TQ meter on if need be. And I thought I would never have to use one again. Well if I end up rebuilding enough engines I will do it. I don't see the point in building one just for one engine. Though to be able to test and tune the hell out of it does make sense before installing it. Hmm.....