A different type of Engine Stand for the XK Engine

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PeterCrespin
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#21 Re: A different approach to Engine Stand Adapters

Post by PeterCrespin » Thu Sep 27, 2018 2:59 am

Too late indeed. Rory has now come full circle, since it was never compulsory to hold the block by the rear face, if worried about the overhang. The normal stand mounting brackets can hold the block this way just as easily as any other method and without any fabrication.

I think the 'Simpson Side Strap' gives the best all-round accessibility, but the rear face normal grip is fine by me. I found that standing my 105 kg on cylinder #6 without anything bending, toppling or breaking, was sufficiently close to proving a negative to persuade me there was no problem to solve. Bear in mind that my stand (thank you, Mark Gordon) is a foldaway 6-wheeler rated at 2000lb but still only $129. If you have an unbraced cheap-cheapie then you might be worried with an XK in any position.

if you fit the main gallery plug and upper seal holder before mounting the engine rear to the stand, you have perfect access for every aspect of the build until flywheel fitment. Since the latter is the last thing before clutch and gearbox assembly (when it has to come off the stand anyway), you're basically fine for a full build. I do like the sideways bracket though....
1E75339 UberLynx D-Type; 1R27190 70 FHC; 1E78478; 2001 Vanden Plas

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rfs1957
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#22 Revolutionary XK Engine Stand Adapter ?

Post by rfs1957 » Tue Feb 26, 2019 4:38 pm

Looks like Julian is putting his money where his mouth is.

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Pre-Production version undergoing testing right now .............

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Good ol' SNGB.
Rory
3.8 OTS S1 Opalescent Silver Grey - built May 28th 1962

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rfs1957
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#23 Re: Revolutionary XK Engine Stand Adapter ?

Post by rfs1957 » Mon Jun 10, 2019 9:02 am

Nearly there ........... latest photos from SNGB.

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They've made some neat improvements to the bracket shapes, thanks to water-jet cutting.

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Last edited by rfs1957 on Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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#24 Re: Revolutionary XK Engine Stand Adapter ?

Post by rfs1957 » Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:12 pm

Crawling there, but so far so good ........... this is the pre-production SNGB version.

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Got my name in neon lights at last.

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Last edited by rfs1957 on Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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#25 Re: Revolutionary XK Engine Stand Adapter ?

Post by rfs1957 » Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:23 pm

And now that I've got my initial prototype back (and plated !) here are a few for the doubters regarding just how useful this is ...............

Adjustable angles for access and lighting, whilst doing the timing side ?

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Tweaking the orientation when titrating piston-crown volumes ?

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Perfect access for assembling the rear crank seal area ?

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Easy to rotate, perfectly stable, makes working on the engine so much less hassle.
Rory
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265bhp
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#26 Re: A different type of Engine Stand for the XK Engine

Post by 265bhp » Sun Aug 04, 2019 6:29 am

:salute:
1963 3.8 FHC ..now finished …………….
1974 2.7 Carrera now as an RS Touring

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#27 Re: A different type of Engine Stand for the XK Engine

Post by PeterCrespin » Sun Aug 04, 2019 8:27 am

My timing is too advanced, as I have three engines on the go right now. Too early for this bit of kit, and probably only ever one or two more in my future. Pity.

On Friday I took the stripped 3.4 D block for boring to 3.8. Yesterday I had to take the 4.8 off the stand to do the rear seal. and the fully-dressed 4.2 sits ready for sale. I coulda, woulda, shoulda used the Simpson Beam for all three.
1E75339 UberLynx D-Type; 1R27190 70 FHC; 1E78478; 2001 Vanden Plas

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#28 Re: A different type of Engine Stand for the XK Engine

Post by rfs1957 » Tue Sep 24, 2019 9:25 pm

Pete, you'll be in good company.

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Seen in Rob Beere's workshop - looks like I didn't invent anything at all !

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Together with Carl and their "them-only" world's biggest degree disc, a bigger version of the one they sell, and REALLY helpful to have those max-lift zones marked out as saves loads of cock-ups (Ed - by people like you, Rory)

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Rory
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Gfhug
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#29 Re: A different type of Engine Stand for the XK Engine

Post by Gfhug » Mon Nov 04, 2019 4:48 pm

https://www.sngbarratt.com/uk/#!/Englis ... dbb1150862

Looks like sngb are ready to take orders at £251.94.
Note: Rory gets the 94 pence as commission on each one :wink:
S2 FHC Light Blue
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#30 Re: A different type of Engine Stand for the XK Engine

Post by JulianBarratt » Tue Nov 05, 2019 3:11 pm

We have also done a little video by our man Pete to show off Rorys "invention":



We are also planning to bring one down to the NEC this weekend if you fancy getting an up-close look...
MD at SNG Barratt Group
Enthusiastic owner/driver of a couple of complete E-types as well as a warehouse or two of parts...

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#31 Re: A different type of Engine Stand for the XK Engine

Post by Gfhug » Tue Nov 05, 2019 3:24 pm

The video shows that's a neat adapter Rory, well done for designing it and thank you Julian for putting it into production.
Not sure when I may need one but I'll admire it on Saturday

Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration

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#32 Re: A different type of Engine Stand for the XK Engine

Post by rfs1957 » Tue Nov 05, 2019 3:50 pm

Pleased to see you finally got the project over the finishing line. Don’t think I’ve really invented much, but it proves that a bit of insomnia can render productive even the wettest of Sunday afternoons provided that there’s enough steel-stock lying around, and that the MIG hasn’t run out of gas because someone left the tap open.
Rory
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#33 Re: A different type of Engine Stand for the XK Engine

Post by PeterCrespin » Wed Nov 06, 2019 7:48 am

Sod it, I’m getting one if the swivel bore is right (remind me of the tube OD please?)

Delays by the machine shop mean I still haven’t finished my three engines, so I’ll get some use out of it. Plus I just got my ten grand asking price for the completed one, so I’ll re-invest some of the proceeds. My conventional stand is rated at 2000lb so safety is a non-issue, but convenient access is.

Mind you, I’ve only just realized how spindly your stand legs look. I can see why you felt the need to change from the usual end-mounted arrangement. It looks more Ducati-sized than D-type. Shipping from New Hampshire should be cheaper than from Bridgnorth. Time to ‘let my fingers do the walking’ as the old BT ad used to say, when we used phone books instead of Google...
1E75339 UberLynx D-Type; 1R27190 70 FHC; 1E78478; 2001 Vanden Plas

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Nick V12 e type
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#34 Re: A different type of Engine Stand for the XK Engine

Post by Nick V12 e type » Wed Nov 06, 2019 10:30 am

Congratulations Rory, Julian great to see this go into production. Any plans for a V12 version??

Best wishes
Nick
e type series 3 V12 2+2 1972, BMW iX 2023

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#35 Re: A different type of Engine Stand for the XK Engine

Post by PeterCrespin » Wed Nov 06, 2019 12:59 pm

Bugger. I guess I see why some people are nervous about their engine stands....

I'd assumed the pivot tube and clamp plates were a common size to most stands, but looking back it seems Rory's stem is 60mm OD to fit Clarke and MM. I just measured my Summit Racing rotating tube at 75 mm and even the ID is 66 mm. Clearly the 2000lb rating comes from beefier material everywhere, not just thick black powder coat instead of thin Laverda orange on Rory's stand. The six castors are probably Abrams tank-rated.

I now think I'd be equally nervous if my engine hung lengthways on a 60 mm tube.

Since I no longer have my much-missed Harrison 12" swing, machining a flanged tube that size is no longer within my capabilities and paying a DC machine shop for a one-off would probably nearly double the price of the 'Simpson Spinner'.*

Perhaps some research on common stand diameters in North America might indicate that on-demand production of suitable sleeves could improve market penetration over here? :twisted:


Pete

*Free brand name for you Rory :-)
1E75339 UberLynx D-Type; 1R27190 70 FHC; 1E78478; 2001 Vanden Plas

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#36 Re: A different type of Engine Stand for the XK Engine

Post by rfs1957 » Thu Nov 14, 2019 8:25 pm

Nothing wrong with 60mm for strength.

You're just used to everything being bigger there.

Pity, would have made a great "as used by Peter Crespin" - you should get a free one.
Rory
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#37 Re: A different type of Engine Stand for the XK Engine

Post by rfs1957 » Wed Jan 13, 2021 11:48 am

Update from Julian, January 2021.

Selling well, new batch in production, look out for promo and adverts.
Rory
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