LARIN Engine Run Stand (Mets-1)

I'm a classic car hobbyist outside of my regular job and have been looking at engine test stands for quite a while, with my cars just being a hobby I keep a pretty tight budget on what I spend and try to get the most bang for my buck (it has to be worth it and needed or I won't buy it) I also know from past experience when it comes to shop tools you usually get what you pay for, but not this time! At the price I purchased this item for it was more than well worth the money, everything has a great finish and all the welds look good. It's very sturdy after assembly. Some reviews indicate the fuel tank is a little small and I do agree with that if you're going to be running an engine longer than the 30-40 minute break in time BUT refilling it isn't any more difficult than refilling the lawn mower when it runs out, it's a minor issue to me. People writing the reviews complaining about the small gas tank and cheap gauges need to price other models, you can buy better gauges, fuel cell, and a better ignition switch and it would still be much cheaper in the end. This stand is a real value all things considered. I had to get taller casters because my big hoist legs wouldn't fit under the frame but my smaller hoist would so that depends on the hoist you have and not a problem on their end. There's no frame work for a radiator but to my surprise garden hose adapters for cooling water to the engine "are included". Overall I am very pleased with this motor test stand and wish I had bought 1 sooner! This IS the engine test stand for the hobbyist like myself no question about it. Affordable, nice looking, and functional. Hey if you don't want a stand without a radiator or small gas tank go pay $1,000 or more for a better model and stop complaining, I bought this stand that does what it was intended for and had money left for engine parts!! You do the math. . . . . .

I purchased the Larin METS-1 engine test stand knowing that it was an inexpensive test stand and just a fraction of what some test stands are priced at. Plus unlike the other much more expensive engine test stands out there, the Larin METS-1 comes with a tachometer, oil pressure, and temperature gauge as well as an ignition switch with key. Most of the others don't come with those and each gauge must be purchased separately and it all adds up quickly. I'd read many reviews of others that had made this purchase before me so I knew the instructions were poor and assembly might be a bit of a challenge. It's a no frills test stand but I feel more than adequate for my needs as primarily a classic car hobbyist that probably won't use the stand more than half a dozen times at most per year. If necessary, I can modify and improve it as I needed, I know the price was less than the materials alone would have cost me to build one from scratch, so it was an easy decision to buy this one and make it work. If you decide to purchase this item, take your time assembling it and refer to the photo on the box and you'll figure out the assembly of it just fine. One note that will save you some time and trouble is that the temperature and oil pressure gauge terminals are labeled incorrectly (but the black and red wires for the gauge illumination are fine). There are three terminals to drive each gauge, the only one of the three that is correct is the center terminal which is ground or negative 12 volts. The terminal marked "+" is actually where the sending unit wire needs to be connected. The terminal marked "S" is actually where the positive 12 volts needs to be connected. Once I figured this out, both the temperature and oil pressure gauges worked fine. I added two toggle switches, one to control the gauge lights and a second one to control an electric fuel pump. Drilling the holes in the stainless steel instrument panel can be a challenge, use a drill press and some cutting oil and start with a 1/8" pilot hole and work your way up a few drill sizes at a time to accomplish this if you decide to do the same. I also fabricated some engine mount plates to go between the mounting stands supplied with this item and the engine block. I'm satisfied with this item for the bargain price, I'd move my opinion from satisfied to happy IF the instructions were written better and the terminals on the gauges were marked correctly but that just cost me some extra assembly time so no big deal.Larin METS-1 Mobile Engine Testing Station

The instructions suck but, if you are skilled enough to need this aka you built or want to test an engine then you can probably figure it out by looking at the picture mine had all the parts as well. It does seem wobbly until it all gets tied together with the engine then it's solid. Also the gages are ok but I got a better oil and temp Guage mechanical style vs supplied electric