Engine test bed

General Chat with an emphasis on BMC Minis & Other iconic cars of the 1960's.
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swifty
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Engine test bed

Post by swifty »

Been meaning to build an engine test bed for more years than I can remember. So last week i built this . Once the engines off it I will give it a nice coat of paint . …. Shirley
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1963 austin Cooper s mk1 1071
1966 Austin Cooper s mk1 1275
1968 Austin Cooper mk2 998
1962 Morris mini super 850
Porsche 997 turbo S
Ford transit van 280s.

I am from Essex
swifty
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by swifty »

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1963 austin Cooper s mk1 1071
1966 Austin Cooper s mk1 1275
1968 Austin Cooper mk2 998
1962 Morris mini super 850
Porsche 997 turbo S
Ford transit van 280s.

I am from Essex
swifty
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by swifty »

More images
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1963 austin Cooper s mk1 1071
1966 Austin Cooper s mk1 1275
1968 Austin Cooper mk2 998
1962 Morris mini super 850
Porsche 997 turbo S
Ford transit van 280s.

I am from Essex
swifty
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by swifty »

So the exhaust is connected by a straight pipe going through the garage wall with a silencer on the other side . … Shirley
1963 austin Cooper s mk1 1071
1966 Austin Cooper s mk1 1275
1968 Austin Cooper mk2 998
1962 Morris mini super 850
Porsche 997 turbo S
Ford transit van 280s.

I am from Essex
rpb203
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by rpb203 »

Nice bit of kit!
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Ronnie
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by Ronnie »

Very neat nice to heat your garage :) , I think braked castors or jack stands would be advisable.
rnp68
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by rnp68 »

Looks like a good start for one of these :D :D
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Polarsilver
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by Polarsilver »

Nice One.. my only concern is will the test bed walk around the garage when the engine is running.
I am envious 8-)
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by AndyPen »

Darn - impressive!!!
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by rolesyboy »

I've seen this first hand and its absolutely brilliant. So much nicer to be able to run an engine, set it up and iron out any problems before its in the bay.
Check out that heater assembly and better still the choke and wooden clothes peg :D .

Shirley- If you do plan to take it to Beaulieu next year my only suggestion would be to switch that choke cable for a bakelite one. Looks like a later Mk3 you've used there :lol:

PS I always assumed an engine would wander or bounce around if you ran it on the floor. Turns out that when i finally tried it the engine ran like a sewing machine and didn't move at all.
Rolesyboy
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by mk1 »

What a cracking bit of jit. Very well thought out & I am sure it will be very useful.
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Toby
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by Toby »

Great to see that the mandatory peg is included too :)
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Exminiman
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by Exminiman »

:lol: :lol: that is fooking great, even got a chrome gear stick and a peg for the choke :D

So what wheels are you putting on it, could look good with some Cosmics :lol:
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by Rusty old S »

Nice one, my test bed many years ago was driving up the road with no bonnet or grill, oily hand prints all over the paint , exhaust blowing filthy hands on steering wheel . we probably all been there, kens solution is Mature and civilised. Oh I forgot tax in post on windscreen!
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by GraemeC »

Twin throttle pedals are a nice touch.
You've really put some thought into that - impressive work!
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MiNiKiN
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by MiNiKiN »

GraemeC wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:55 am Twin throttle pedals are a nice touch.
You've really put some thought into that - impressive work!
One throttle pedal for each carb, to controll them individually and as such steer the whole crate :lol:

Seriously, brilliant stuff - watched with some envy. 8-)
Yes I am a nerd: I am researching the Austrian Mini-racing scene of the 60s and 70s :ugeek:
swifty
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by swifty »

Thanks for the positive response. Couldn’t wait to try it out and can report all went well . I also wondered if it would move about but it stayed perfectly still . One thing I would do differently is to fit a bigger fuel tank . It ran out after 15 minutes , just enough for the first start up . …. Shirley
1963 austin Cooper s mk1 1071
1966 Austin Cooper s mk1 1275
1968 Austin Cooper mk2 998
1962 Morris mini super 850
Porsche 997 turbo S
Ford transit van 280s.

I am from Essex
hanlminiman
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by hanlminiman »

A totally stupid question but based on recent experiences and your comment "before installing" - Does the set up identify oil leaks before installation? :lol:
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Tedwong
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by Tedwong »

Impressive! Would love to see a video when you test drive it! :lol:
jbz23
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Re: Engine test bed

Post by jbz23 »

looks fantastic fairplay
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