MPi engine block on a stand
Turbo Mini Forums

I've bought an engine stand, so I can rebuild my MPi engine off the floor.
There doesn't look to be anywhere to safely mount the stand to the block in the 'transverse' orientation, so I mounted it end on.
But when I've tried torqueing down the three main cap it locks the crank tight (standard crank with a polish, standard size bearings). I haven't been able to get any plastigauge today, so thought I'd put the block on a table and just see if there was any deflection along the length of the block by mounting it by the end. And guess what - with the three caps tightened down, I can turn the crank! There's still a little stiction to overcome (lots of oil used in assembly) but it's much better i.e. can be turned by hand.
Can the block really be distorting along its length? Has anyone else experienced this? How can I mount an injection block transversely?

Edited by Cooper1999 on 1st Jun, 2014.

Have a look at my build thread (1275gts) there are pictures of my mpi block on a stand.

Thanks Andy.
I've just lost a couple of hours reading through your build thread - fantastic work!
Did you have additional holes tapped in to the block though?
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8038/7913986...053e5cbd7_b.jpg
It looks like you've used one of the coil pack positions (or utilised the oil filter centre thread somehow?), but what are the two bolts on the right screwed into (to the left of the alternator bracket position)?
I can't identify on my block:

In an earlier photo it looks like you've used packing pieces behind the engine stand plate, yes?

Edited by Cooper1999 on 1st Jun, 2014.

It's spaced out with washers or something like that, It's in the coil pack bolt hole at top left and the block has been drilled & tapped for a standard (but longer) alternator mount where the 2 blanks are on the block. I reckon you could shift it all to the right a bit and use the existing bolt holes.