A tip from master mechanic Sam Memmolo has prompted EngineLabs to launch a new weekly feature, Friday Tool Time. Memmolo turned us onto a great engine break-in/test stand called the Easy Run test stand.
There’s a video of the Easy Run test stand on Egge Machine‘s YouTube site. This unit stands out because of the simplicity, flexibility and price point. More importantly, the stand serves a purpose. Think about it. How many times would an engine builder have benefitted from having a test stand to break-in a fresh engine? There’s nothing more frustrating than installing a newly built engine into a chassis only to find there’s a problem and having to pull the engine out again. Simply mounting the engine on a test stand, where everything is open and can be monitored, not only saves time but provides an extra level of observation that you can’t get from an engine that is shoe-horned into a cramped engine bay.
From the video, Memmolo shows how quickly the test stand is set up and the versatility of adapting to practically any domestic or foreign engine application. An adapter kit is available that will allow the operator to run the engine and transmission together.
These test stands start with the 54-inch base model at the listed price of $875.00 and range to a 66-inch professional model priced at $2,075.00. Three models are offered in base units, shop series and professional series. Features include fully adjustable powder-coated frame, dash control panel, 3-gallon fuel tank, battery tray and cables, polyurethane casters, adjustable radiator mount system and Ford style starter solenoid.
Engine builders commonly perform camshaft break-in, leak detection, start-up tuning, race engine adjustments which play into the strength of the Easy Run test stand. Most engine repairs detected durning testing can be repaired without having to remove the engine from the test stand. Simple to operate, the test stand can test run and heat cycle engines as many times as necessary to seat gaskets and rings or simply test for leaks or make engine adjustments.