Building a coffee table

[lalojamesliz]

hey guys, I've been wanting to get a bare engine block and put some feet and a piece of glass on top and my wife finally gave me the green light so I found a 4.2L Audi V8.
I chose that block because of two things..... its aluminum and I really didn't see any other ones for sale near by.

Has anyone else here made one? I'm going to cut up one of the camshafts and make the feet out of one of them and im also going to leave the shortblock assembled.
I'm completely tearing down the shortblock to clean it then re-assemble with a light coat of assembly lube. I want my kids (but mainly me ) to be able to turn a handle ill put on the crankshaft pulley to spin the rotating assembly ha ha ha

I learned these darn German engineers like to use triple square spline bits. They are like torx screws but with more teeth. I think they are also called XZN bits.

Well here's my block right now. I already loosened everything the bottom and I receive the bits to remove the headbolts today.

 

[budget76]

I made one using a BMW I6 (M50). Used the crank caps bolted to threads on the bottom of the block as feet. Kept the head on it for visual. Bought an old glass table that had holes in the glass for securing - was able to use them to secure the glass to the table and not just have it floating. Spray matte clear used on all the bare metal parts, flat black on the bulk of the block.

cleaning was a PITA - i did it all with a wire brush / steel wool / soapy water. I was ~23 and had time. if I made one again, i'd pay to have it hot tanked or sandblasted or something.

Will post up a pic if I get a chance.

 

[lalojamesliz]

Hot tanked.... I forgot about that! Well I have purple power cleaner and a 3300psi pressure washer. I might be ok but if not then hot tank it is.
Pics or it didn't happen, I mean pics if you have some

 

[PelicanPines]

Way cool... I'm in to see this to the end (table)

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

I've seen several different incarnations of "man cave" tables-

Engine blocks

GoodYear NASCAR tires

Rotary (airplane) engine

Probably one of the most unique- the rotating assembly from a V-8 all welded together- like an engine with no block.

Straight 6 crankshafts used for bar stools

Camshafts used as table legs

And on, and on, and on!