Starting a motor OUT of a car.

[ThatGuy]

Here's mine, built a frame from some old unistrut and mounted the engine to it.

It's screwed to a furniture dolly and very stable even when revving it up.

I know there's no radiator but I just built it to make sure it ran when I first got it so I could be sure I didn't get ripped off. I don't usually run it anymore except when I need to take a vid so I can post it on a forum or something.

Link to vid:

[M3M3]

If all you want to do is check compression, you can just set it on the garage floor and crank it with the plugs out, so it won't start.

yes. original q was about compression check. engine does not need to be able to run for that or a leakdown test. just need power for the starter for comp test. don't need anything for a leakdown.

no, you won't be able to get a warm compression check this way, but you will be able to see if the cyls are even.

[TobyB]

...I just use a spare car that's sitting around...

oh, wait, no, that's my daily driver!

Works to test transmissions and diffs, too.

Altho the welded 4.44 WAS a bit of a handful on the street.

Seriously, engine swaps take something like 8 hours

if you have someone to help- and go get chili for lunch.

A lot less time than building a serious stand.

I HAVE thought about getting one running on an engine

stand...

t

[eastsidebimmer]

This is 100% not BMW related, but a real cool fellow I work with built up this tuning rig for a 434 EFI Small Block Chevy he rebuilt - and the level of detail is astonishing. This engine is now back in his C4 Corvette and ran 11.5 et @124.5mph - on pump gas this past October. Enjoy the video!

[allbim]

Many, many years ago, I was putting a small block Chevy into a Healey and I had the smart idea of starting the engine on the garage floor before installing it.

It started right up, flipped over onto my foot and nearly broke it. --------- Newton's first law of motion learned the hard way.

[ThatGuy]

This is 100% not BMW related, but a real cool fellow I work with built up this tuning rig for a 434 EFI Small Block Chevy he rebuilt - and the level of detail is astonishing. This engine is now back in his C4 Corvette and ran 11.5 et @124.5mph - on pump gas this past October. Enjoy the video!

That's wicked overkill for a one time use, unless he's going to store extra engines on it. Nice work for sure.