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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Learn me: Making an engine coffee table

June 8, 2011 2:42 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

So it turns out I actually own three complete 928 motors and I really want to make a copy of Jeremy Clarkson's Top Gear coffee table out of one.

I figure I have to completely disassemble it, have it hot tanked, and then... what?

Sandblast? Clearcoat?

How do I get a top cut and mounted?

Suggestions for lighting?

Or am I doing this all wrong and I need to rebuild the V8 and turn the 944's bent-4 into a table? Or even better, buy a boat and have three Porsche V8 inboards power it (since I'm in fantasy dreamland thinking I can afford to rebuild even one of these).
June 8, 2011 2:47 p.m. tuna55 SuperDork

It is was me I'd clearcoat for finish. For mounting I'd probably just weld studs to the block and mount a glass panel to it (try a glass place) with some cool looking acorn nuts or something.
June 8, 2011 2:48 p.m. DukeOfUndersteer SuperDork

i was thinking the same thing for our office, but i have a VR6 block, which is a V, but a completely different V.

If i were you, clean it up, take out the con rods, bolt the con rods to the top of the block and have the pistons cocked to one side so all 8 make the same flat surface, then go to Michaels and get a piece of glass and some of those little glass nipple protectors and stick it on. As far as lighting goes, i was gonna shove a fluorescent light that is just big enough to shove down where the crank would sit, so that way, all the cylinder walls are lit up, have the wire coming out where the crank shaft ends.

Just my idea...
June 8, 2011 2:55 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

Hmm. I don't know how I feel about the piston idea. I will definitely be making some camshaft lamps, though!

Are the heads good for anything?

Should I build 3 and sell 2 for profit?
June 8, 2011 2:55 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

tuna55 wrote:

It is was me I'd clearcoat for finish. For mounting I'd probably just weld studs to the block and mount a glass panel to it (try a glass place) with some cool looking acorn nuts or something.

The acorn nut idea is pretty good!
June 8, 2011 3:04 p.m. sanman Reader

I've been playing with this idea for a while. I'll be curious to see what you guys come up with!
June 8, 2011 3:11 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

could always zoop seal the aluminum. If it can keep it from corroding out "in the wild" it should do well in your living room
June 8, 2011 4:36 p.m. AngryCorvair SuperDork

if i had a DOHC engine to make into a coffee table, i'd figure out how to cut away part of it and then drive it with a small electric motor so the valvetrain moved. naturally i'm talking about installing very light valvesprings and only having them on a couple cylinders. could even rig it so a blue light flashed when the intake opened and a red light flashed when the exhaust opened.

but that's just me.
June 8, 2011 4:40 p.m. z31maniac SuperDork

^That is a super cool idea!
June 8, 2011 4:45 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

AngryCorvair wrote:

if i had a DOHC engine to make into a coffee table, i'd figure out how to cut away part of it and then drive it with a small electric motor so the valvetrain moved. naturally i'm talking about installing very light valvesprings and only having them on a couple cylinders. could even rig it so a blue light flashed when the intake opened and a red light flashed when the exhaust opened.

but that's just me.

They are SOHC's, but that idea is so bad-ass that I am going to have to try it! I built a cutaway turbocharger once, so how hard can it be?
June 8, 2011 5:56 p.m. Nashco SuperDork

It's (barely functional) art...there isn't a right or wrong way. Do what seems right to YOU!

Bryce
June 8, 2011 6:11 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

Nashco wrote:

It's (barely functional) art...there isn't a right or wrong way. Do what seems right to YOU!

Bryce

What seems right to me is getting a 1980's Cigarette hull, mounting all 3 Porsche V8's in that sucker with superchargers, and then drive it everywhere to the Miami Vice theme, but it ain't gonna happen as the Lottery is broke and even if I win it it won't be enough.
June 8, 2011 6:40 p.m. CGLockRacer Reader

Mine is more of a small end table, but mainly due to the size of the engine and plexiglass i had available :) I've got some trophies on it now.

I painted the block and waxed any bare metal. Still looks good after almost two years.

http://teammathermotorsport.com/Engine_Table.html
June 8, 2011 7:04 p.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

I have nothing to add but when I googled I found that whoever made this - set the bar pretty damn high.
June 8, 2011 7:12 p.m. fasted58 HalfDork

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

I have nothing to add but when I googled I found that whoever made this - set the bar pretty damn high.

Radial FTW
June 8, 2011 7:30 p.m. JoeyM SuperDork

fasted58 wrote:

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

I have nothing to add but when I googled I found that whoever made this - set the bar pretty damn high.

Radial FTW

[/thread]
June 8, 2011 8:31 p.m. BoostedBrandon Reader

I always thought of one on it's end as end tables, making it somewhat taller. I've also thought up of old wheels stacked up as end tables, one sitting one way, and one turned to where they halfway interlock. Using old coilovers or shocks as legs. But that would probably take up too much space to be an end table, and be too tall for most coffee tables.

You can make furniture out of more than just engine parts and seats. Personally, I love this stuff.... my wife says "what kinda woman...."
June 8, 2011 8:35 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

JoeyM wrote:

fasted58 wrote:

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

I have nothing to add but when I googled I found that whoever made this - set the bar pretty damn high.

Radial FTW

[/thread]

Berkeley yes!
June 8, 2011 8:36 p.m. fasted58 HalfDork

add an auto parts mailbox while yur at it to round out the homestead
June 8, 2011 9:02 p.m. wspohn Reader

Best coffee table I've ever seen - but you need a V12 with downdraft carbs (this is a MIura motor and transaxle - think giant very expensive Mini lay out.)
June 8, 2011 9:07 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

My starting point.
June 8, 2011 10:36 p.m. oldsaw SuperDork

In reply to Javelin:

Go to Walmart, buy a glass-top table and tape that pic to the bottom?
June 8, 2011 11:06 p.m. GuamSTI New Reader

oldsaw wrote:

In reply to Javelin:

Go to Walmart, buy a glass-top table and tape that pic to the bottom?
June 8, 2011 11:07 p.m. neon4891 SuperDork

Giving me hope for my buick(or was it olds?) 350 in the basement, again.

Stupid iron blocks

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