Bench testing a motor

[Mark Serj]

Hi all,

I was wondering how many of us have 'bench' tested a motor in their own garage / living room / etc. and how it has been achieved? Is there a simple and safe method by any slim chance?

Cheers

Mark

[mole42]

Ha! You nearly caught me out there Mark - I thought “just connect it to a 12 volt battery” then I remembered that you are rebuilding an engine.

“An engine is a device that burns or otherwise consumes fuel, changing its chemical composition, whereas a motor is a device driven by electricity, air, or hydraulic pressure, which does not change the chemical composition of its energy source.”

[Phil S]

Used to do engine testing at work, also did a couple at home many many years ago.
Build an oblong support from something like 2x1 box section, this will support the engine and rad.
Add water,electrics and a very good exhaust extractor and off you go.
First time round it's a real labour of love, but once the frame and electrics pannel is available 2nd and 3rd tests are easy.
Need a garage to store it in though.
May be better to get it put on a dyno after the build.
Phil

[Mark Serj]

Thanks Phil, hadn't considered a dyno, interesting suggestion. I was thinking of lorry strapping it to some sleepers type arrangement and rigging a simple elec panel. I'm not planning to run it with coolant for rebuild test, not necessary for the 5 min type run up I have in mind

Cheers

Mark

[Goldstar]

Steve Stagdad has done it. I think there’s a YouTube video of his setup somewhere (on you tube obviously).

[Ian F]

Mark, someone on here had a set-up specifically for running up Stag engines. IIRC it was at the National Day in Uttoxeter, Staffs some years ago and had all the electrics, coolant and exhaust connections.

Sadly don’t know who’s it was, nor what happened to it though, sorry.

Ian F

[Stagdad]

Steve Stagdad has done it. I think there’s a YouTube video of his setup somewhere (on you tube obviously).

https://youtu.be/XhDmd7QON8Y

I made a frame from box section to hold the engine which has slide on extra bits at the front and back to hold the radiator and the battery,fuel,dashboard.

[flying farmer]

Thanks Phil, hadn't considered a dyno, interesting suggestion. I was thinking of lorry strapping it to some sleepers type arrangement and rigging a simple elec panel. I'm not planning to run it with coolant for rebuild test, not necessary for the 5 min type run up I have in mind

Cheers

Mark

It would get very hot without any coolant even after a couple of minutes, and your water pump seal would be knackered if it is the original pump.
At the very least you would need to bung the hoses but fill the system with water to prevent hot spots.

I did it once and used the radiator (no fan fitted) as it was simpler than bunging the hoses.

Neil

[TR5convalescent]

https://youtu.be/XhDmd7QON8Y

I made a frame from box section to hold the engine which has slide on extra bits at the front and back to hold the radiator and the battery,fuel,dashboard.

Just watched it and loved it but I love the custom exhaust vid even more. The hair on the back of my neck is still standing up!

[Mark Serj]

It would get very hot without any coolant even after a couple of minutes, and your water pump seal would be knackered if it is the original pump.
At the very least you would need to bung the hoses but fill the system with water to prevent hot spots.

I did it once and used the radiator (no fan fitted) as it was simpler than bunging the hoses.

Neil

I did this on a previous rebuild where I have a ceramic water pump seal. It was based on Kryten's recommendation to get the heads warm, then cool and retorque the heads, saving having to drain the coolant prior to re-torque. Eliminating the potential to get coolant in the head joint when you crack off the torque prior to re-torque. Is that too many re-torques in one paragraph.....?