Engine bench test

[arjr111]

I have a 10 HP, ready, and a 12 HP, Briggs, almost ready to bench test. How is the best/easiest way to do it, without actually mounting the engines on a tractor? Can I test them by spraying starting fluid, through the inlet/carb hole, without mounting a carb? Is there a way to pull start these from the pto pully. Any advice, is appreciated....thanks

[Dutch]

Unless you have an engine stand or sturdy bench, I'd drop it in the tractor frame. You don't want it to start and start "dancing" around. I would definately mount the carb and connect fuel. DON'T run it on starting fluid. You could blow a head, gasket, or piston. Might be able to get a rope to hold on the PTO pulley.

[dlcentral]

Gotta clamp it down or it'll''dance''right off the bench!Get a little plastic tank off one of the dept store tracs,and clamp it,on head, higher than carb.They can be hard starting with a rope best to use start/gen and battery.I use 2 sawhorses and a 2X8 screwed to them then Vise grip C clamp vise grips to hold motor to 2X8.You can run it all day hooked up like that.,,

[sask]

I have a small frame made out of 2X4's that I bolt engines to for test running. Then clamp the frame on my work bench. The frames are basically made of 6 14" lengths of 2X4 stacked 3 layers high (2 per layer), and nailed together near the ends. This way I can use the frame for vertical engines as well, since it provides about 6 inches of clearance from the engine to the work bench. I attached an old gas tank from dead Briggs 5 hp to a small post on one side of the frame to gravity feed in the gas. Pat