Engine Block Computer Desk/Racecar seat chair

[myboostedgst]

I wanted to help contribute a bit to the forum, so here is my little write up/pictures of my new engine block table. It is currently almost finished, I still plan on plasti-dipping the blocks silver to make them look a little nicer.

Parts:
Two 4g63 engine blocks
Qty 8 threaded rods from Menards/Home Depot (1/2" - 13 by 1ft long).
1/2" Tap
27/64 Drill bit
1/2" Nuts
Large Suction Cups
Crazy Glue
Large Piece of glass with beveled edges

Process-
Drill and tap 4 of the transmission side bolt holes on the side of the block using the 27/64 drill bit and the 1/2" tap. You will use the two holes closest to the head surface, and the two that are closest to the oil pan side.





You thread the rods into the block and tighten the nuts to secure the rods into the block. You then put two nuts onto the top of each rod and thread them down into the middle of the rod. Set the suction cups onto each of the rods and thread the nuts upwards until they begin to raise the suction cups off of the top of the rod. You will then fill the small hole created by the nut and the top of the rod with Crazy glue. Also make sure to line the top of the nut with the glue as well. Set the suction cup back onto the top of the rod and press down JUST SLIGHTLY. Do this for the remaining 7 rods that you have threaded into the block.

Once all of the suction cups are slightly pressed onto the tops of the rods, grab the large piece of glass and align over the table, hovering slightly above it. Then carefully press the glass down onto the rods, making sure to apply even pressure to all of the suction cups. NOTE: The glue will take a little while to harden. If you pull the glass off before it fully hardens, the suction cups will come off of the rods and you will have to re-glue them. Even if your glass is not centered, do not worry about it. Once the glue has hardened, you will be able to pull the glass off without any troubles and the suction cups will then stay in place. So you will be able to realign the glass and make sure that it is centered on the rods.





After the glue hardens, you pull the glass off and pull all of the rods out. Take the blocks to be hot tanked and cleaned. At this point you can leave the blocks as is, or you can paint them. I will be painting them (or rather plasti-dipping them) silver come this spring. It was to cold for the plastidip to adhere so I am leaving them as is until spring when I finally do paint them.





And here is my desk along with my racecar seat computer chair. It is a knock-off recaro that we custom made a bracket for, and then bolted it directly to the base of an old computer chair. Works perfect. Stable, balance is just as would be with a normal computer chair, all functions still work ( height adjustment and rocking). Although, it isn't as comfy after sitting in it for a few hours, but that is to be expected considering it is a race seat. You can see some of my photography work printed and hanging on my walls as well.

 

[jake00]

Cool

 

[Twiggss]

have seen many variations of the engine block turned into furniture pieces. What would keep me from doing it is having that big lump of iron or aluminum and smashing my toe/foot into it.

 

[Kevin54]

I LIKE IT!!!!!

You did have the blocks hot tanked didn't you to take care of any grease? the only reason I ask is that they look a little on the dark side.

And the chair doesn't look appropriate, so I would be willing to take that off of your hands.

Seriously though, I love it.

 

[Thumper68]

Nice, I would have sleeved the all thread with some 1/2 in conduit for a more finished look.

 

[jarhead]

it doesn't get any better that that!

 

[Squashfest81]

Now slip some wine bottles in to those cylinders. Maybe then my wife could allow something like this in the house.
Who is making the straight six wine rack?

 

[pi_guy]

You should use cam shafts to support the table top.
& an exotic block in aluminum would be more appealing

 

[BlackTalon]

Dang, thought those 4G63 blocks were about as bulletproofing as you can get. What killed them? Very cool table, too!

 

[gus1962]

That's just practical and creative! I like the idea of using metal scraps to create an incredibly functional metal project! Well done.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Yessir, turned an old, but nice LS1 into a coffee table. Add a 48x48x1" piece of glass and you aren't worried about your toes, but it will knock out your knees.

Looks nice OP.

 

[zkling]

That looks awesome, but boy would I hate to stub my toe on that thing.

Agree on the cover the all thread idea, I might use a length of black, red or green hose to sleeve them.

 

[myboostedgst]

Thanks everyone. The blocks were hot tanked after I drilled them and tapped them. I plan on painting them silver to make them a little nicer in spring. The camshaft idea is cool, but I think that would really add another level of complexity. Right now the table can come apart quickly and be easily movable is needed.

The block on the left crankwalked and I'm not too sure about the right. I think a bearing went bad and the kid was throwing it away. The only way I was going to do this table was if it was a 4g63. Sure, an exotic block would be cooler, but this engine has so much meaning to me that there will never be another engine besides this one.

Everybody keeps saying that about their toes. When was the last time that you smashed your toes into your current desk? Maybe I just dont drink enough and then stumble over to my computer.

Oh, and for the conduit - Take a look at the power wires in the back of the table. I actually like the silver of the rod, and since the blocks will be silver soon, I will just be leaving them as is.