A Chevy buddy and I decided to build an engine run-in stand. I figured it would be a good idea to have one, especially with this 427 stroker reaching completion. We designed it to be usable for pretty much any engine. We also designed it so the gauges would swing around from the front to the side, so they wouldn't be in the way when working on the engine, but could be swung around to be seen when tuning.
The leg mount slides front to rear, and the legs slide in and out to adjust to about any engine. A 3/8" bolt pinches them in place. Plus, the rear bellhousing mount unbolts in case the bellhousing needs removed while it's on the stand. You've just got to support the rear of the engine with a hoist or something.
The gauges are tach, oil pressure, water temp, vacuum and volts. The switches above the tach are ignition and starter button. The switch at the center of the gauges is for the dash lights. The round thing to the right of the gauges is a cigarette lighter recepticle to allow easy hookup of a wideband oxygen sensor. The switches at the bottom currently control the electric fan and electric fuel pump. The other switches aren't hooked up, but could be wired to a electric water pump, etc. The big red switch below the gauge panel to the right is a master disconnect. A fuse panel is used with all the circuits.
After this engine comes off, the wiring will be better organized and it will get a paint job.
So far, it has been VERY handy. I've had some leaky valve covers that are easily dealt with on the stand. Plus, I used it to change valve springs after breaking in the camshaft. MUCH easier to do out in the open than in a 1966 Mercury Cyclone!
Oh... about changing those valve springs... I used air to hold the valve open while using that Ebay tool to remove and install the springs (works great by the way) and on one cylinder, I heard a lot of air rushing into the intake and out the carb. I later checked the compression in all the cylinders and all were at 205-215 except this one. It was only 160. Pulling the head and dealing with a leaky valve will be WAY WAY WAY easier on the stand than in the car! It SUCKS, but not nearly as bad as it would have in the car.
