45 replies to this topic

[stormduck]

During the process of rebuilding my Mayfair I intend to strip and rebuild the engine. As i don't have a proper bench in the garage, i intend to use an engine stand to hold the engine. Guessworks on this forum kindly informed me that the best place to have an engine stand hold the engine is by using the two bolt holes used by the alternator bracket on the front of the engine (see pic below):



As an engine stand commonly has four arms, Guessworks stated that the by using just two of the arms to bolt to the alternator holes, they would not be able to hold the weight of the engine. I have now received my engine stand and the arms are not able to adjust to even fit the alternator holes. Hence he's suggestion of using an adapter like the one pictured below, posted by Guessworks:



Guessworks also said that a member of the forum used to make these up, whom i contacted but did not get back to me and no longer appears to be an active forum user. Therefore, i am taking it upon myself to get one of these adapters made up based on the diagram below:



Obviously these parts will be welded together! The reason i am saying all of this is because i am approaching a friend's engineering firm to carry out this work, and if all goes well he may be in the position to produce more of them if people actually want them, as I understand that they are not commonly available items to purchase. (If they are then i'd appreciate contact details!)

I'll make measurements available if all goes well for the one i'm hopefully having made up, then people can decide if it's going to fit their engine stand/application.

Based on this, if people could reply with their thoughts, opinions, concerns, objections and whether they would be interested in one themselves, i can take this info with me to the engineering firm and see if something can be done about producing more than just one.

[Jammy]

I'd probably take one once we know more about the price, but I definitely think its something that would sell, I've looked for them before without any joy!

[stormduck]

Ok fella, price would be a key factor which is why i want to go to them with figures so they can work out the cheapest way to produce x amount of them.

[Guess-Works.com]

sorry mate was ment to get back to you, but got side tracked cleaning the garage... But I'll measure it today, and post...

One thing I would also say is... in it's current guise I think it can be improved upon...

You see that the cylinder is welded to the center of the plate fixed to the stand and offset of the plate fixed to the engine. What this means is the centre of rotation of the engine is great for A+ engines when using the inner two holes, but when attached to A series engines, as in the picture, it's way off balance, and very difficult to turn when a gearbox and head are attached.

A better design would be to offset the cylinder placement on the adaptor plate aswell ( like a crank ) which means the second two holes could be used for the A+ engines, and the first 2 for the A series....

[stormduck]

Okay nice one, i've measured it all up myself but it would be excellent to confirm it.

I like the idea of offsetting the cylinder, but you've lost me when talking about 1st and 2nd set holes. Are there two sets of holes drilled for the adapter you have?

I didn't realise a and a+ would have different positioned alternator bracket holes, i did wonder why your picture didn't quite match my engine!

Having two sets of holes drilled for the a and a+ makes sense if there are clearence differences between the two. I really need to be able to compare them, to create a piece that will fit the two. As you can see on my photo there isn't much room up or to the right of the top hole, which really determines to dimensions of the piece that end. Is the hole for the dizzy in the same place on both types of engine?

which means the second two holes could be used for the A+ engines, and the first 2 for the A series....

I've got this in my head now, the only trouble i'll have is where to drill the a series holes without having an a series! Although i'm sure that would be easier once the bracket is actually made for the a+. With the two set of holes drilled the centre of rotation won't be bang on, but it sure would be a lot closer than current.

The other problem is getting a set of four holes in a square pattern that is going to fit multiple engine stands. I don't have experience of them and only have my one to go by.

[neil_g]

dont know whether this helps, but on the link below there is a plan for an adaptor.

http://www.minifinit...ht=engine stand

if made, i would be very intested depending on price

[Guess-Works.com]

Right been playing with tape measure.... these are the measurements of the one I have....

[Guess-Works.com]

But here's one which I believe will provide a better balance and ease of use...

The cylinder has been moved 30 mm to the left and as such allows the hols to which the block is attached to be move nearer to the center of rotation, which is now, directly between cyliners 2 and 3...

I will gladly fund the first production of this design, as I do believe it will be better, and am prepared to "put my money where my mouth is"

[stormduck]

This is excellent well done fella, and thanks for the other link neil, your interest is noted.

I'll print these diagrams off and check them against what i've got and arrange a meeting with my engineering chum and see what he can come up with. :grin:

[stormduck]

Guessworks, i've checked your measurements against my block but it needs some changes to make it fit, see what you think:



I had to cut down the distance from the a+ holes to the end of the plate so that it clears the dizzy hole.

My engine stand bracket is also of different size to yours, but it shouldn't be a problem...once the metal is cut the holes can be drilled for each application.

[Guess-Works.com]

I was fairly confident with the measurements, so I made a mockup...

I think the main issue is the height of the adptor, anything over 80mm and it will hit the dizzy, but on this mockup I have also rounded the edges to give a little more clearance ( same effect could be achieved by cutting the corners of but is not absolutely necessary.... My current one sits on the dizzy part when connected to an A series engine...

Connected to A series...

[Guess-Works.com]

and A+

[stormduck]

Erm.....i'm not exactly sure what happened with my amazingly bizarre measuring skills last night. I used your initiative and made one with paper, and you're absolutely right that it fits! The lower left corner by the dizzy will need a chop but that's it :gasp: perculiar! I'm not even going to work out what i was thinking because i'll just confuse myself.

I'll get on with the next stage now and let you know how it goes.

[Guess-Works.com]

Do we have any news on these, as there is growing interest...

[neil_g]

still interested.