engine test run stand

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Dragsinger

I plan to build a test stand to accommodate a SBC or BBC and also bolt up a powerglide as a way to load the engine. Not to test wide open against the converter but simply a light, varying load for a short time. To lock the Glide I am considering a driveshaft yoke without u-joint then pass a piece of solid rod through the yoke. The rod would have some type of secure catch.

Let me have your photos and thoughts.

Thanks

Why??? Too dangerous. The set up would require to be built to restrain lots of loading from the torque of the engine. If you add up the cost of building such a set up, and the amount of use, you would do more by spending the money at a reputable dyno facility.

[Dwight Southerland]

SSEngineGuy -

I hate to dispel the myth, but it doesn't require anything to restrain an engine. Early in my life, I worked for a company that built jet-boat engine/pump combinations. The majority of the product was W30 spec Oldsmobile 455s with an occaisional 454-465hp Chevrolet. We ran every one of them to test for leaks and set the carb and timing. They were all run sitting on pallets unrestrained. You couldn't make one of them even shake the pallet, much less look like they would jump off.

Now when you attach that P'glide behind it with the yoke clamped tight, you best have some heavy straps!

[Adger Smith]

Back in the 70's when I was working in an engineering program for the US Govt. we designed & built some HD run in stands for tank engines & transmissions. Basicly a big stand that held the engine/trans combo (power pack) & allowed us to run it throught the gears. We could also monitor fluid temps & pressures. It was great for leak tests. We were testing pull out units to see if we could determin their condition before assigning a rebuild code. All engines that were rebuilt were dyno tested. To put load on the engine it had a huge disc brake attached to the out puts of the trans/diff. package. They had a water spray system that was temp activated to keep them from overheating. Brake pressure controlled the load/silp of the brakes. I'm sure you could build a stand, but your yoke deal is a little too much for me. I would refine that a little.