Engine for kitchen build?

[TinkerLogic]

Afternoon y'all!

I'm limited to what I can due outside of the apartment (apartment rules) except I have a concrete porch i can do small stuff on, so I'm looking to my kitchen for room for some kinda little engine i can tinker with. I can't do any welding but i should be fine with basic hand tools and mostly any power tools.

I wanted something feasible to tinker with like a LS series gm V8 but I'm concerned about the weight on the kitchen floor being the weight of the engine plus the stand plus me... that's roughly 1000lbs in a 3x3sqft footprint. I was also thinking rotary engine because of its weight but cross between tracking down decent parts and pricing... doesn't seem to fit the feasible sense.

I'm not worried about fitting it into anything at the moment and when that time comes I'll find something appropriate to swap it into.

I'm hoping to build a little engine that I can eventually put a an automatic ****** behind and have a blast with. It doesn't matter if it's 4cyl or 6cyl etc etc. Something that the parts are readily available and it doesn't cost a mint to build. As previously mentioned weight is a concern and I know that restricts my options greatly.... unless it's one of those Harbor Freight small engines LoL.

I appreciate your time and thoughts,
Have A Good'n

 

[engineer2]

From the web: U.S. building codes specify a uniform live load of 40 pounds per square foot (psf) for most residential floor designs.
If it's a concrete floor no problem. If it's a wood joist floor, maybe a 4x8 sheet of 3/4" (or more) plywood will help spread the load and protect the floor.

 

[64C10]

I would say an air cooled VW, but that kind of kills the automatic trans. The Pinto 4 banger has quite a bit of aftermarket support for tinkering and would be a smallish option.

 

[wssix99]

From the web: U.S. building codes specify a uniform live load of 40 pounds per square foot (psf) for most residential floor designs.
If it's a concrete floor no problem. If it's a wood joist floor, maybe a 4x8 sheet of 3/4" (or more) plywood will help spread the load and protect the floor.

This is the answer, but the subfloor is made of plywood - so plywood doesn't help. One would need a structural platform made of 2X's that spans multiple floor joists.

I did something like this with a snowblower engine in a condo kitchen once. I almost got me divorced and damage to the floor was impossible to avoid. Without commentary about my lovely wife, the costs of doing this sort of thing do not equal the payback...

 

[engineer2]

A work platform made with a 2x4 frame and sheet of plywood on top might be better. Put a lip around it to catch anything that might roll off, spill, or leak. Couple of friends and a six pack will get that engine and stand up there.

BTW, I thought it was traditional to rebuild engines in the living room.

 

[TinkerLogic]

This is the answer, but the subfloor is made of plywood - so plywood doesn't help. One would need a structural platform made of 2X's that spans multiple floor joists.

I did something like this with a snowblower engine in a condo kitchen once. I almost got me divorced and damage to the floor was impossible to avoid. Without commentary about my lovely wife, the costs of doing this sort of thing do not equal the payback...

I've done this before years ago in a 2nd story apartment and was careful how and when I did things like cleaning parts and keeping plastic down on the floor and keeping stuff wiped up.

Back then I didn't have the worry of if the floor would hold it or not. The biggest PITA was getting the engine block itself up the stairs then managing it on an engine hoist and then disassembling it to take it back down the stairs.

This time the floor in this apartment is kinda iffy and I rather take precautions now and try to limit the weight factor to try not to press my luck but if something does happen I can disassemble it pretty quick to move it on my own.

I was trying to wait till I found the new place but that's not happening and my anxiety and anger and depression issues are going nuts and I seriously need to tinker on something before I bounce someone else off the trash bins lol.

 

[PWC Repair]

Buy a broken jet ski (2 stroke) and rebuild it. Easily small enough to do in the kitchen and just carry the parts around.....they're lightweight. And when you're done it will turn a nice profit.

 

[TinkerLogic]

A work platform made with a 2x4 frame and sheet of plywood on top might be better. Put a lip around it to catch anything that might roll off, spill, or leak. Couple of friends and a six pack will get that engine and stand up there.

BTW, I thought it was traditional to rebuild engines in the living room.

This is a first floor apartment so it won't be too bad getting stuff in and out except I may need help with moving the engine block in position.

Yes I wanted to do livingroom but it's more at the front door and I need quick access to back door when it comes to moving parts in and out and cleaning stuff and being kitchen is at backdoor.... it just makes sense at the moment.

I was hoping to be moved by now so I wouldn't have this issue BUT here we are. I need to get some kinda project up and going even if it's nothing but trying to boost a Harbor Freight engine LoL.

 

[purplezr2]

When I was in college, a kid build a few different engines in his dorm room. I know he did one v8.

Rolled the engine stand with the engine on it into the elevator, and right down the hall.

 

[m6z]

How about a dirt bike project? That should be fairly lightweight.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I remember my friends brother used to totally disassemble his sportster every year in his apartment, parts being detailed in every room, it was a live in bike shop.

 

[nadogail]

I have had a good history with the 18RC Toyota, it and an automatic transmission was in the 1973 HiLux I purchased new.

The VW Water Cooled 4 banger would also fit in an apartment.

 

[PoorUB]

I feel most people are over reacting. A fully dressed LS weighs under 500 pounds. An engine stand weighs well less than 100 pounds. Would you put two 250 pound men back to back in any room of your home and have a third walk around them?

IMO, the floor will hold just fine, assuming it is built some what close to current building codes. I would be more concerned about the stink, oil and cleaners.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I looked online and saw information saying an LS1 aluminum block engine fully dressed is about 460 lbs. Imagine two 230 lb guys standing back to back; the floor isn't going to cave in from them, so it shouldn't be a problem with the engine.

edit: PoorUB typed faster than me but he was thinking the exact same thing.

 

[jbfsr]

Don't use the sink as a parts washer.

 

[strutaeng]

That Uncle Tony's Garage has rebuilt engines (or at least parts of it) in his kitchen/dining room, not sure if a house or an apartment.

Agree, a fully dressed truck "LS" is around 550 lbs-ish, IIRC. That's the iron block version. An aluminum block variant is about 100# lighter. Just put a double layer of 3/4" plywood and you will be good. 4'x4' would be nice. It's no different than having 2 guys that weigh half of that side by side. If you want to be extra cautious, move furniture and heavy stuff away from the room, but I don't think you really have a need for that.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Brakleen and plastic pipes dont get along....

 

[TinkerLogic]

I feel most people are over reacting. A fully dressed LS weighs under 500 pounds. An engine stand weighs well less than 100 pounds. Would you put two 250 pound men back to back in any room of your home and have a third walk around them?

IMO, the floor will hold just fine, assuming it is built some what close to current building codes. I would be more concerned about the stink, oil and cleaners.

That's what the outside and porch is for. The maintaining of cleaning parts and liquids keeping isn't a problem... I just have to think outside the box sometimes lol. I don't even use the inside sink for cleaning parts.... that job is for outside. Sadly I'll spend $200 at least to keep stuff contained and hauled away weekly.

 

[TinkerLogic]

Brakleen and plastic pipes dont get along....

I may be dumb.... but not that dumb LoL

 

[engineer2]

I kind of know what you mean. I got to have projects to work on or I go stir crazy. I don't get mad, I just get bored and unhappy.

 

[consti2tion]

How about something outside of the box/circle. A rotary engine.

 

[TinkerLogic]

I feel most people are over reacting. A fully dressed LS weighs under 500 pounds. An engine stand weighs well less than 100 pounds. Would you put two 250 pound men back to back in any room of your home and have a third walk around them?

IMO, the floor will hold just fine, assuming it is built some what close to current building codes. I would be more concerned about the stink, oil and cleaners.

I too had similar figures but I'm close to 400lb and "these" apartments were built back in the 60s maybe late 50s. You may be right I may be overreacting but I'm just trying to have a little fun and watch my back.


As always I do appreciate y'all!

 

[TinkerLogic]

I kind of know what you mean. I got to have projects to work on or I go stir crazy. I don't get mad, I just get bored and unhappy.

It's been about 9 maybe 10 years since I had to give up the shop I was working in, and about 2 years later I was put on disability. This whole time my issues have been pretty rough because 1 I can't go back to day to day work as I did due to a few medical issues and 2 because of the housing situation it's hard to find the right place for what I want to do.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I may be dumb.... but not that dumb LoL

Wellll.... I learned the hard way...lol.

 

[4x4Pete]

Since there are "apartment rules", you might want to consider checking them out. This could be cause for eviction. Guaranteed that a nosey neighbor will contact the management.

 

[TinkerLogic]

Since there are "apartment rules", you might want to consider checking them out. This could be cause for eviction. Guaranteed that a nosey neighbor will contact the management.

I understand that and I've been in those situations unfortunately but one of the few things I like about living here is that everyone minds their own business.

I've been here almost 2 years and I still will see someone that didn't realize anyone lived here (but I have lights on lol)....

As long as I'm not making too much noise for too long... I should be ok by "nosey neighbors"

 

[73project]

You can do a lot in a small space. My first engine rebuild was a 1972 Honda SL175 motorcycle engine (two cylinder 175). I was 14 at the time, and rebuilt it in my bedroom in a ~ 3' X 4' cement mixing bin. I protected my floors with a carpet remnant and plastic. My parents were less than happy about it, but they let me do it anyway with the condition that it was done in a short time. I had the cylinder bored oversize, put oversize pistons/rings, new valves/guides, fixed the kickstarter gear spring, and got it up and running again.

 

[txvwnut]

I would say an air cooled VW, but that kind of kills the automatic trans.

Actually it doesn't, the later veedub busses had automatics that hold up well to being abused in a drag race and off-road settings when built properly. Plus there is adapters that you can hang a powerglide or TH350/400 style ****** off of, it all depends on how much you want to spend.

 

[Squankum]

Don't use the sink as a parts washer.

That's right! That's for the bathtub.

 

[RPH]

Maybe in the model range, interesting things being done.

 

[texasprd]

Buick 231 V6, if you can still find one. My brother built one in his apartment decades ago to swap into a Vega - I think it was on the 2nd floor, too!

 

[Sumboodie]

Since there are "apartment rules", you might want to consider checking them out. This could be cause for eviction. Guaranteed that a nosey neighbor will contact the management.

Exactly.

If I had a tenant tearing apart an engine in my kitchen, they'd be out with the swiftness! That is WAY beyond the scope of what is considered normal activities in most any apartment.
Maybe if it was some sort of shop studio type setup.

 

[619DioFan]

Don't use the sink as a parts washer.

That is what the dishwasher is for.

 

[andyvh1959]

Dishwasher/ sink parts washer, toilet can substitute for smaller parts. Oven is for powder coating parts.

1st floor apartment and there is a basement or crawl space below? Meaning a wood structure floor. Or is the 1st floor on a slab, because then the load is a non issue. You didn't say but I assume no car port or garage with your apartment?

 

[TinkerLogic]

Dishwasher/ sink parts washer, toilet can substitute for smaller parts. Oven is for powder coating parts.

1st floor apartment and there is a basement or crawl space below? Meaning a wood structure floor. Or is the 1st floor on a slab, because then the load is a non issue. You didn't say but I assume no car port or garage with your apartment?

There's a "crawl space" under building for plumbing and floor is wood. Correct... no carport or garage.

 

[Zeke]

No matter what, the place is gonna smell like an engine. IDK what the $200/mo expense is actually for, but for that kind of money you can join one of those co-ops if there's one within reasonable distance. The closest one to me is about 18 miles in SoCal traffic, so not so viable. But I've talked to a guy that uses them and he loves everything about it.

 

[larry_g]

Maybe in the model range, interesting things being done.

I would second this recommendation. At near 70 years of age I have started to build engine models and do RC cars with with the kids. It takes all the same skills and brain cells just on a smaller scale. I am no longer inclined to do the heavy work required to build big stuff.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[charbar]

Dirt bikes. Can wheel the whole thing in and out of the door.

What about renting a small storage unit to do work in? Personally I wouldn't want my house to smell like my shop

 

[rharman]

Don't use the sink as a parts washer.

And, don't use the oven to heat up a motorcycle crankcase to remove a bearing.

Don't ask me how I know that....