GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: bcutrufelli on August 01, 2005, 07:22:24 AM

Title: workshop questions
Post by: bcutrufelli on August 01, 2005, 07:22:24 AM
I have a garage and need to organize badly.  I am looking to get a workshop table exc.  Does anybody have any suggestions for prefabed tables exc.   also I need an area where I can tear down a motor.
Title: workshop questions
Post by: dgyver on August 01, 2005, 08:01:06 AM
Better have something strong. Most common tables you find at home centers are not made to support too much weight. The motor weighs around 140 pounds.

A table can easily be made from 2x4 (or 6) frame and a plywood top. This would be cheaper and better made than most metal framed tables with a particle board top.

Or you can build what I made, a 6' long x 30" wide x 3" thick maple butcher block table top. It is not complete but weighs well over 120 pounds. Also it has 3x3 red oak legs.

I have been thinking about building a stand to support the motor during a rebuild.
Title: workshop questions
Post by: Kerry on August 01, 2005, 09:47:03 AM
Quote from: dgyverI have been thinking about building a stand to support the motor during a rebuild.
Me too, now that richard unloaded his old motor on me.  ;)  If you have any good ideas, or find/create some plans, I'd love to have 'em!  :)

PS - That workbench sounds NICE.
Title: workshop questions
Post by: dgyver on August 01, 2005, 10:52:49 AM
No problem. I have an idea sketched (roughly) of what I want to build. That may change as I decide on the material. I have plenty of different stuff to choose from, about 25 acres of used material storage equipment. Overkill is very possible.
Title: workshop questions
Post by: starwalt on August 01, 2005, 11:17:53 AM
My advice is to used what you've got or can find for engine work. I added some left over lumber to a rolling chassis, originally used to install xray gear, to set the Athens engine on for disassembly. It has casters and that makes it handy. A couple of bags of sand stabilize it...until my wife runs off with the same for her flower box or brick walkways.  :lol:

Here's the rolling engine bench (http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/41/41309/folders/208237/Thumbnails/1630837motorbench.jpg) (http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/41/41309/folders/208237/1630837motorbench.jpg)

I have an eye bolt in the ceiling to pick the engine up via a come-along.

I have a Waterloo (They make Craftsman benches) for cleaner work, and an "rough" bench made from 2 x 12 planking and 4 x 4 for dirty work. The bench grinder and vise are attached to it.
Title: workshop questions
Post by: Kerry on August 04, 2005, 09:32:16 AM
Suppose for a moment that I want to get one of these engine stands from Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=32916).  Is there an "obvious" way to attach the GS engine to it?  (Front / rear / side?)  Would I need to figure out an adaptor?

Along those lines, someone fabbed an interesting Ferrari V-12 Engine Stand (http://www.tomyang.net/cars/enginestand.htm) from two of those HF units.

One more (set of) question(s) for now: I realize that I could (maybe) get a neighbor to help me mount the engine on a stand, but is there a good reason NOT to get a cheap hoist (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=996)?  Is it overkill?  :dunno:  What's the best way to hang one of these?
Title: workshop questions
Post by: davipu on August 04, 2005, 10:03:07 AM
with a standard automotive engine stand the mounting plate is designed to mount to the transmition bolt holes.  which basicly puts everything on the motor within workable range.  you probably could use the mounting holes on the gs motor if you were just doing a top end thing and have it mounted sideways on the stand.  but that will limit what you can work on while it's on there.  i think if you bought one of those you could make some adapters out of 2x2 angle iron so you could bolt through the rear mounting holes only and still be able to work on her.
Title: workshop questions
Post by: davipu on August 04, 2005, 10:04:54 AM
nope cheep hoists are great for lots of things, lifting motors, holding the front end up while you do fork seals/ change front tires.
Title: workshop questions
Post by: dgyver on August 04, 2005, 10:34:18 AM
My concept for a stand would mount the motor from both sides by the lower mounting holes, similar to the Ferrari stand. This would leave the bottom open to access the oil pan. So basically only the lower case would need to bolted to the stand. Now all that is needed is to locate the GC of the motor and add a pivot. The simple things can get complicated.