My Vair Engine Test Stand (Modified Larin METS-1 Stand)

[Lane66Monza]

I thought I would share my way of running a Vair engine out of the car. I know you can set up the engine and run the engine on the ground, but I am not willing to do this with a freshly rebuilt engine for my own personal reasons. But this is a task that is to each their own to decide.

My way is to use a modified Larin METS-1 Mobile Engine Test Stand. This stand is a low cost stand for the water cooled engine mechanics crowd. But I got it several years ago for about $250 and modified it to install and run a Vair engine.

Here are some details of the stand and modifications.

Larin METS-1 Mobile Engine Testing Station Key Features
Ideal for leak detection, engine break-in, assembly and detailing
Frame assembly and console with battery tray
Includes tachometer, engine temperature and oil pressure gauges
5 gallon capacity fuel tank
Heavy duty steel construction with powder coated finish
4 steel casters for easy maneuverability

Larin METS-1 Mobile Engine Testing Station Specifications
Height: 8″
Length: 44″
Width: 14″
Ship Weight: 92.0 lbs
Stand is designed for water cooled engines.
Stand now cost about $500 with free shipping from either Amazon or ebay.

Main issue: Stand does not allow engine hoist to go under it. I changed out the casters with larger casters to allow engine hoist legs to roll under the stand.

From here, the stand has to be modified to run a Corvair engine.

1. Add an electric fuel pump with filter to one upright. Current photos do not show the new pump location and fuel line routing.
2. Modify mounting uprights to fit Corvair mounting locations you select. I selected the bell housing and rear engine mount plate. I am thinking of reversing engine direction and devising mounting to allow differential and transmission to be mounted during testing.
3. Modify Control Panel with new gauges and switches and modify stand harness for Corvair engine monitoring and control.
4. Install a plate to place battery on and strap it down.
5. Use a generic LM engine harness to mate to the engine stand harness. Stand uses engine harness mating connector to bring engine signals to stand.
6. Make a power harness with connector to power the stand. I used a 7 pin truck/RV connector for this requirement and added extra engine test and pump control wiring features.
7. Uprights are not sturdy enough to push the stand around with. They have to beefed up, if they are to be used for this purpose.
8. Alternator is not functional in my test stand, but a more knowledable person could make the test stand check its function slao before installation in the car.

Photos show my current configuration, except not the higher castors. The photos also show a few details that are easier shown than explained. Last photo of panel with engine running.

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[cnicol]

That's pretty cool, Al! Good job.

[Lane66Monza]

Thank you, Craig.

I don't know what else I can do to check the alternator except for keeping the battery charged. Stand is wired up that with an internally regulated alternator.

Maybe a bluetooth radio with speaker for talking with friends while running an engine. Maybe dual headlights to put a load on the battery. A/Cc could put a load on it and the engine, but too much time and expense to assemble with no return on investment.

[davemotohead]

That thing looks like the space shuttle of test stands! Very nice! I just use the GM engine stands I build the engines on as a break in stand.

[toms73novass]

Vairy nice!

Mine is a standard engine stand that I modified by lengthening the base tube and I mounted a spare differential to the stand. I build the engine on the stand and I have front braces that connect to the front of the stand when I do the breakin run.

Yours is nice to have all the gages to keep on eye on things in one place.