I've been wanting an engine test stand for a long time. Even when I didn't have an engine to run on it. I've got two engines in the build process. A 302 which I started several months ago, and a 460 which I just recently started. The 460 will get finished first, because I want it in my Dent as soon as possible. I took the block and crankshaft to the machine shop about a week ago, right after I finished mocking up the test stand around it.

I looked at buying a test stand, but I don't like any of the ones I've seen. Even the best rated one looks a little flimsy to me, and the price is sky high. So I started gathering materials. So far, all the metals I've used were pieces I had lying around from past projects. I built the base around measurements I took from several V8's, my 5.9L Cummins, and my 4L jeep engine. It's long enough to run an engine with a transmission attached. And sturdy enough to support a 5.9L Cummins diesel.






Those are "460 EFI Guys" motor mounts, made specifically for swapping a 385 series engine into a truck that has a 335 series engine. Building the stand around those mounts had an unforeseen fortuitous consequence, which I'll hit on later.



When I first started this project, I didn't have a spare bellhousing, so I built the tailstock to attach to the rear of the block.




I made the control panel from a piece of scrap 3/16" steel, racing dash switch panel, battery cutoff switch, some donated cheapy gauges, and a lawn mower throttle lever. And I used the original radiator from my Dent just for mockup. The control panel can be moved to any part of the base I want. I'll just need to fabricate and weld on more attachment pockets. But I think it'll work just fine where it's at. I didn't consider that I'll need a to attach my ignition box. I'll probably mount it where the decal is. Shucks.





Yes, it's tilted to the rear on purpose. That's so the carburetor flange will be level. Just like when it's in the vehicle.



Battery tray is a store bought weld on. The battery is grounded to the frame. I'll make a bracket for the starter solenoid, and weld it to the frame, so the solenoid is grounded.




I lucked up and found a bellhousing. And I was fortunate that all I had to do was turn the tailstock around, and weld on some flat bar. Now the tailstock can now be attached to the block or a bellhousing. I'm happy about finding a bellhousing. I wasn't comfortable about having an exposed 50 lb spinning wheel of death. I also got a new radiator. It's a Summit 4 row that fits my truck. The truck currently has a Champion 4 row. Now I have a spare. I need to make lower brackets for the radiator. It'll be tilted rearward to match the fan. I also plan to make a fan shroud.





After I took the 460 block to the machine shop, I got the 302 out of the shop so I could build the motor mount perch. This is where the 460's custom motor mounts paid off in an unexpected way.....The perch and tailstock I built will work with 385, 335, and Windsor blocks!




That's where it's at now. I have a 3 gallon marine fuel tank, but I won't have it mounted on the stand.

 

Well that is one nice looking stand, can't wait to see or hear about something running on it. And FYI I am borrowing the welding gun magnet stand idea.

 

I saw where the rear support was bolted to the block and I thought.."he's gonna hate himself" but glad you figured it out. Really nice work and well thought out.

 

Rich, I gotta get schooled on uploading to youtube, so I can post video of the 460 running (or disintegrating) on it's first run. Borrow away. Ain't like it was my idea. I saw someone else's, bought a round magnet, and made the rest.

 

Yeah, the block mounted tailstock is certainly sturdy enough, but I'll feel a little safer with the flywheel covered.

 

Great job ! Ranger up ! Thanks for sharing the details and great news about the motor mount. BTW your cat has one nice shop

 

Thanks, Redroad! Scrappy runs this show.

I'll add to this as things progress, or crash.

 

Jealous..... My test stand looks just like my engine bay with all the wires radiator and battery too. Oh wait thats my truck..... NICE WORK SIR!

 

Thank you 77 HOS! This has been one of those total win projects. Running an engine on this thing is gonna be like having a pet crocodile in a cage. It should be great fun, but it's main purpose is more somber. When I installed the 400 in my truck, I was very meticulous about getting everything as right as I could. After getting the engine installed and the truck put back together, I cranked it up to break in the flat tappet camshaft, and it started gushing oil out the rear main seal. Talk about total demoralization! I was so demotivated, that I actually drove the truck for a couple months, adding a quart of oil every 75 miles. Anyway, The minute I saw that first oil puddle, I told myself that I wouldn't do this again without a test stand.

 

I hear you, my motivation exactly. I'm not far behind you with my 460 build been following your 460 EFI build closely. Keep up the good work Mike!

 

Thank you, Redroad. I hope to update that build thread a little this week. Machine shop finished boring and honing the block yesterday. I'm hoping they have it line honed, and cam bearings and plugs installed by Saturday so I can pick it up. Btw, it's not an EFI build. It'll be carbureted. There is a new twist to the build. One I didn't want, but it's gonna make it really cool. We'll kick that around in the 460 thread.

 

Your stand looks good. Not like these guys.

 

I saw that while I was researching. I didn't model my stand after his, but I think he'd make a great motivational speaker. "Jus shet the f*** up and do it. Jus do it!"

 

I forgot to update this thread, since it shares parts with my engine build thread. Anyway, it's almost ready to run. Just a few more small details to take care of.

 

That is one Badass #