Setting up a Test Bed

[Stephen Grigg]

Using a workmate and engine stand screwed on to it Ive made myself an engine stand.Its so much easier than having the engine in the model and minutes to swop over.Im not sure at what height I should have the tank.I started with it just cable tied to the bench.This worked on my first test An OS  56 Alpha.Ive tried running up an old Meteor 61 which only runs when fuel is put down the carb,and the same for an MDS 61, So ive highered the tank a couple of inches,no difference to the MDS,but an OS 40 SR ran fine.Ive taken a cuople of photos to see if ive got something wrong

[Stephen Grigg]

This is with the tank on the bed and the irvine 40 ran fine

The Meteor 61 only ran when the carb was filled with fuel but wouldnt drag the fuel up itself

Now Ive hired the tank but the MDS 61 only runs with fuel down the carb

But the )S 40 SR runs fine

[Richard Wood]

Hi Stephen,

I used to use a very similar setup to your Irvine 40 arrangement for

running in engines and had no problems with it.

The test stand & tank were mounted to a chipboard plate clamped into

the workmate.The fuel feed line was slightly below the spraybar if I

remember correctly.

A Jen, an OS & an SC ran fine with this setup.

I did once have a second hand Meteor 40 however which would never

run properly!

 

 

 

[Stephen Grigg]

I have to check the height of the tank to theneedle valve but possibly the 2 engines that wont go could be gummed up.Im taking some paraffin home tonight

[Stephen Grigg]

Ive also received 2 engines in the post so Ill be testing them tomorrow also.

[Phil 9]

I also used a similar method to test an engine.

 

I did not have an engine stand I just drilled 4 mounting holes directly into the workbench.

 

I only own 4 engines and all could be mounted using the smae holes.

[Stephen Grigg]

The joy of the stand is it only takes a minute to swop the engines

[Lee Smalley]

MDS   ooooo dear ! 

[Stephen Grigg]

Snob

[Peter Beeney]

   Stephen,
               I also use something similar, a test stand fixed to a length of wood nearly as long as the bench, mine is a Chinese version of the Workmate, very cheap and it’s now an old wreck, but it does the job. I sometimes run-in and test engines for mates, simply because I have the time. I take the whole lot to the strip and do it there, we have a big field!
   The tank is held on the block with elastic bands and also running though these is a length of wire with the snap link to control the throttle. I make sure that I can close the throttle from behind the bench. My golden rule is that no one ever stands in front of a running engine, for any reason. Not even to take a photo, but I’m only being very cheeky here! For fourstrokes read all of that in Capitals, they can detonate and take the prop off, including, in extremis, the locknut as well! Detonation is an interesting story all on it’s own. When running anything other than the smallest lump I tie the back of the bench down to a peg in the ground, you can’t be too careful!
   I think I’d be inclined to have a further look into your reluctant motors, I don’t think that I’ve ever had to alter the tank position. Having the engine mounted on a piece of wood clamped in the bench makes it easy to invert the whole thing, for instance, to be able to test fourstrokes for upside down running etc.
   I suspect your OS 40 SR must be an oldie! I think they came before the FSR, but I might be wrong here. But the FSR was around the late seventies, early eighties I think, so it certainly goes back a ways, whatever. I’ve recently come by some old bits and pieces, amongst them I noticed a twin plug Merco. I’ve never owned one of these, so I must try and sort it out, and if possible, get it running.

   Good Luck with all your engines.

 

    PB

                       

[Stephen Grigg]

Hi Pete thanks for the advice,I have aMerco 61 twin glow Its in aStringalong and Ive been trying to get it to run ok

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

Hi Stephen,

 

four strokes tend to have very good "suction" so they draw fuel well - even when the tank is a bit low. So you get away with a lot. Added to that the 56 Alpha is a cracking engine (I have one myself) not cheap but as they say "you get what you pay for". Some older 2 strokes can be a bit fussier about tank height.

 

BEB

Edited By Biggles' Elder Brother on 16/11/2010 20:12:06

[Stephen Grigg]

I thought that BEB,I set the stand up to test the OS 56 alpha and it started instantly and ran perfectly,but as you say now Ive started on the 2 strokes they seem fussier

[Stephen Grigg]

Ive a nice arrangement of engines and carbs soaking in paraffin,my son thought I had been spraying fly spray.

[Phil Claridge]

stephen, i made a fuel tank stand from some spare  square hard wood, this carries a slec orange tank held between the bars with lacky bands and you can have the tank any height to suit. i run the throttle link along side the tank as the fuel pipe is often level with the throttle arm. i strap it down with some velcro tape to stop it falling of the workmate.be warned that an os 70 4stroke will pull a full size workmate over at less than full throttle(dont ask how i know) my freind always ties his to a wall bracket to test his engines.

[Stephen Grigg]

Wow thanks Phil I didt realise engines can be that powerfull.Ive a load of weights  from my sons weight training lying around ,I mav have found a use for them.

[Lee Smalley]

Snob moi!!  i will have my servant boy come round and give you a damn good thrashing mr grigg!!

[Alan B]

HI Steven

 

Thats good advice from Phil and Peter. I ran a 40 on a workmate and never gave it a second thought.  Some time later I did a  test run on a  120 FS on the workmate -  it nearly took off.!!   Secure the workmate!

 

Al

[Stephen Grigg]

Maybe put wings on it!!

[Alan B]

  Dont tempt me!

[Stephen Grigg]

At the moment Im only testing smaller engines but Ill certainly take in your advice if I go bigger

Edited By Stephen Grigg on 17/11/2010 09:43:53

[Michael Evans]

My first engine - a Wen Mac 049, in the late 1960s. My first engine test bed - my bedroom chest of drawers. I screwed the engine to the side of it using the radial mount holes, waited until my mother had gone out, opened the windows wide and did it. I ended up coughing and choking on the exhaust which filled up the room in spite of it being pointed right out of the window, until I had to rush out to breathe in some fresh air.

Over the ensuing balmy school holiday days the exhaust residue slowly took its toll on the furniture, paintwork, wallpaper. But I got away with it. 

[Stephen Grigg]

Hilariuos Michael,I confess a couple of times I did think about starting up in the dining room/workshop but grown  up logic prevented even me

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

I've done the opposite - in a manner of speaking!

 

Recently finished a model, it was quite late and I sat there looking at it thinking "It would really nice to start up the engine and see how she goes - but its too late "

 

The next morning it was raining - grrr, still can't test it.

 

It was lunchtime before it dawned on me - its electric!

 

I'm just a simple oily hand ay heart!

 

BEB

[Stephen Grigg]

And you started an electric in doors BEB and youve been let loose on us,,---YOUR THE MAN