Making the Engine Block Coffee Table

"FrankenBlaster" (FrankenBlaster) 04/28/2015 at 19:30 • Filed to: None

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A recent move from a house with a roommate to a one bedroom apartment left me with the realization that I could do whatever the hell I wanted for furniture. As you can see, I fully exercised that right and decided to make an engine block coffee table.

The engine is a 327 out of a ‘67 Chevrolet. I bought the assembly from a guy on craigslist for $150, it came with all 8 pistons and connecting rods, the crankshaft, cylinder heads, and a box of all the rest of the bits that make the aforementioned parts a whole.

This is what it looked like when I got it. I was warned by the seller that it would need some machining to get back into running spec, which was why I actually chose the engine in the first place. I didn’t want to take anything out of commission that could be easily made road worthy again. It was pretty greasy and had a good amount of surface rust. I had to do a bit of dis-assembly, which turned out to be a bit easier than I’d thought. I’ve done a lot of work to my own car, but never torn apart an engine, so it was a good hands on experience.

I tried to clean it up with a few different cleaning products to get an idea for how long it might take if I did it by myself. Started off with some simple green and a rag and realized that was in no way sufficient to clean the block that was almost half a century and who knows how many miles old. After that, I went to the store and got some oven cleaner and a wire brush. This worked out pretty well on the pistons, but still left some baked on carbon even after multiple cleanings. This led me to the decision that I wouldn’t have the time at all between work and moving to get it done in time. So, I loaded it up in the back of my car and took it to a media blasting facility. Below is the before and after.

At their recommendation, I had them thermal clean the block and four pistons (I believe it involved baking the thing in an oven to break all the crap loose), glass bead blast it all, and then satin clear coat everything. The block is cast iron and is pretty susceptible to rusting, so I wanted to make sure it’d retain it’s looks after the blasting. Turnaround was about two weeks and I paid $150 for the service.

After I got it back, I test fitted everything just by sliding the pistons into the cylinders. The pistons had to be trimmed on the edges (not sure of the technical term for what that piece is) so the guys in the machine shop at work helped me mill a bit off to get them to sit exactly at a 45 degree angle. We didn’t have time to do the exact math, so we just milled off about 1/8th inch at a time and used an angle finder to find how much we had to take off on the rest.

Next up, I had to figure out how to mount the pistons to the deck of the engine. This was a tough one for me because I really don’t have many fabrication tools and definitely not a welder. Talking to the guy who dresses our engines at work and the guys in the machine shop led me to decide to drill and tap some holes in the deck, so the pistons could be removed if need be.

We somewhat free handed this part, measuring up a certain amount and center punching, through the connecting rod, where the holes would need to be. Made sure everything lined up, and got to work. I used some bolts I found at the hardware store that fit through the connecting rod, with a big enough head to not slide through, but also enough to not interfere with them sitting flush against the mounting surface. The bolts cost me something like $2.50.

I realized that the whole thing would sit pretty low and needed to be propped up. I looked at some furniture legs, but didn’t really want to mess with drilling and tapping holes again, and as I was leaving work one day I found a small pallet that fit it perfectly.

Finally got a look at it all here, I made sure to get it in first thing when I started moving all my stuff in to get a feel for how it would look in my new place.

I still needed to figure out glass now that everything else was sorted out, so I went to a glass and mirror place. The guy there took into account how the weight of the glass would be over the four pistons and the corners, and made the suggestion of a 24 x 36 inch piece of 3/8 inch tempered glass with a half inch radius on the corners. The turnaround here was about two weeks again, and cost around $180 for the custom cut.

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Rundown of price:

Engine block and everything that came with it - $150

Thermal clean, media blast, and clear coat - $150

Glass - $180

Bolts - $2.50

Stain for the pallet - $7

Total - $489.50

TheHondaBro > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 19:34

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Awesome! I want to build one of my own someday.

Brian, The Life of > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 19:35

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The pallet-as-base idea is a great one. Nice jerb!

$kaycog > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 19:37

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I love it! You did an awesome job! Now get you some bottles of wine.

ViperGuy21 > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 19:40

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Just like the one that was on that old-timey car show! Fantastic job my man!

TheHondaBro > ViperGuy21 04/28/2015 at 19:41

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Yeah, yeah, that one show... Uhh, what was it called again?

jkm7680 > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 19:43

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That looks badass!

CaptDale - is secretly British > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 20:00

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God I want to do this!!

CAcoalminer > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 20:06

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What is this wheel from?

1111111111111111111111 > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 20:08

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Awesome. I second the pallet base as A great choice.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > CAcoalminer 04/28/2015 at 20:19

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Looks like a Grand-Am car of some sort. Not sure which car though.

greenagain > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 20:45

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Good job. I hope you don’t stub your toes on the pallet too often.

Jinx.

CAcoalminer > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 04/28/2015 at 20:46

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It looks similar to this:

http://www.bbs-usa.com/race-wheels-de…

Zerofret > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 20:51

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This is awesome!

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > CAcoalminer 04/28/2015 at 21:00

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Probably close to that rim, I know some Grand-Am teams used BBS wheels. The Conti gives it away that it is most likely Grand-Am of some sort.

desertdog5051 > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 21:12

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Nice recycle. FYI. A friend of mine recently sold a 327 bare block and trans from a Stingray for $700. But, numbers probably counted for a bit.

horspowr1001 > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 21:12

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So awesome! Nice work!

CAcoalminer > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 04/28/2015 at 21:13

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This was the closest that I have found:

ceanderson920 > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 21:34

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Looks great! My question is how much does it weigh? I am just wondering about having to move it around for cleaning/moving house and so on. Or did you put it on retractable wheels so you can move it around.

Gated Manual > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 21:39

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That looks awesome... Nice work. Great News, Now if you have some Green car seats...

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > $kaycog 04/28/2015 at 21:40

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Seriously this is the only reason my wife is willing to let me make an engine block table, just so she has easy access to a bottle of wine or two

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > TheHondaBro 04/28/2015 at 21:41

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Except they had a V12, personally I’d love to do one out of a viper motor but that would be one expensive coffee table

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > ceanderson920 04/28/2015 at 21:42

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Well it is just the top part of the engine but yeah castor wheels with locks would probably be a nice addition for future builds

TheHondaBro > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 04/28/2015 at 21:43

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SRT-10 Rams are pretty inexpensive. Maybe you can find a salvaged one.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > TheHondaBro 04/28/2015 at 21:50

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I’ve looked, all I can ever find are complete engines for 8-9 grand

TheHondaBro > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 04/28/2015 at 21:51

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I’d pull a Bozi. I’d find a super cheap Ram-10, take the engine, and sell the parts for profit. Of course that requires an initial budget of many thousands....

FrankenBlaster > CAcoalminer 04/28/2015 at 21:52

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Hah! Awesome note about that wheel - it’s from the Ganassi 02 car when it won the 2015 Rolex Daytona 24 hour race. There’s still confetti on it from when it rolled in to victory lane!

$kaycog > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 04/28/2015 at 21:52

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So there you go! I don’t think most wives would even agree to that. Go for it!

FrankenBlaster > ceanderson920 04/28/2015 at 21:53

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It weighs a shitload! Between 200-250lb I’d guess with everything assembled. I can pull it around on that rug if I need to.

FrankenBlaster > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 04/28/2015 at 21:55

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Good call! I responded to CAcoalminer above about it’s origin

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > TheHondaBro 04/28/2015 at 21:56

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Yeah I have a max budget of about 500 not 10 grand haha

TheHondaBro > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 04/28/2015 at 21:56

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So that takes us to plan B:

Stab Ram-10 owner, take Ram-10.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 21:59

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Sweet! How’d you manage to pick that up?

I got a skirt off a CTSCC M3 last season.

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Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > TheHondaBro 04/28/2015 at 22:02

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FrankenBlaster > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 04/28/2015 at 22:04

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Hah, that’s awesome! I don’t want to say exactly how I got it because one time I talked about my job on here and it got out and now everyone at work calls me frankenblaster, but I work in the field and a friend offered me one.

CAcoalminer > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 22:10

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Oh wow.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 22:13

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Heh, that’s fine. I got that skirt by pretty much asking for it haha! Couldn’t reuse it so it’s either throw it out or give it to the kid that wants it, they chose the latter!

yamahog > FrankenBlaster 04/28/2015 at 22:16

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Nice :) we went with a 350 SBC

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/oppo-ration-v8…

FrankenBlaster > yamahog 04/28/2015 at 22:24

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oh nice! Good work on the paint on yours.

willmederski > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:21

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growing up we would have big motorcycle parties to watch races. my dad would take old heads and cases, line them with foil and use them to serve chips and salsa.

SlowerTrafficKeepRight > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:22

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Looks awesome! Nice work and great write-up.

Takuro Spirit > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:22

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Speaking of Mazdas... I still have a DISI 2.3T out of a CX-7 I was going to make into a table of sorts, then my living arraignments changed and instead of a man cave the wife and kids stay out of, I have a Trans Am in the garage. With no motor.

I hoon, therefore I am > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:24

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This gives me hope that I could actually get something for the extra couple 350s sitting in my garage.

FrankenBlaster > Takuro Spirit 04/29/2015 at 13:28

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That would be awesome, I would have liked to do that with that motor since as far as I know it’s the same that’s in my speed3. At least I know it’s the same displacement, turbo’d, and plagued with the same high pressure fuel pump issues when you crank up the boost. Nice spotting from the back of the car shots.

RedWhine > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:33

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Looks fantastic. Maybe I missed it, but how is the glass secured to the pistons? Suction cups?

Kris > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:34

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I’m still hunting all the local junkyards for the V12 out of an XJS. That will make the perfect Top Gear style coffee table.

Ladymopar > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:34

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Looks great! good job-don’t forget you can put your beer of wine in the cylinder heads.

Inyouindoh1 > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:34

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I did mine a little different, but same concept and I love it. Got the block for free when my friend replaced the motor in his ‘81 vette. Just needed A LOT of cleaning. Bought a $50 table off craigslist with a nice 5/8” piece of glass the size I wanted and tossed the old table stand. Very sturdy even with the more narrow base on the legs.

FrankenBlaster > RedWhine 04/29/2015 at 13:35

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Forgot that part - just stuck a couple of these bad boys on the pistons to keep the glass from sliding. http://www.amazon.com/Waxman-4215395…

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:35

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This is gorgeous. I want to make one for my living room now.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:36

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Skirts. They're called skirts.

Maxxuman > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:37

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Looks like you’ve still got enough room to get the wine bottles in and out.

Sethersm > Inyouindoh1 04/29/2015 at 13:38

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Piston legs is what I thought of instantly. Bolted into oil pan mounting holes?

red014 > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:41

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Now you need to complete the set with a pair of coordinating V-Twin end tables.

For Sweden > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:41

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How would this work with an Chevrolet Indycar V6?

Hint, hint.

ComporangeSN95 > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:44

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I like the idea of the pallet for a base. I turned some aluminum bar stock on a lathe and used a clear powder coat on them. I’m happy with the result.

Sethersm > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:45

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A) The part you machined off the pistons is called the “skirt”.

B) Piston legs as Inyyouindoh1 pictured below if you tire of the pallet.

C) If anyone else wants to do this, automotive machine shops typically have a means to thoroughly clean the blocks and other stuff before they work on them. I would expect their price for doing the cleaning would be significantly cheaper than $150. You can buy cans of clear lacquer and spray it to prevent rust yourself.

Upshift > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:53

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Now I want to do the same thing. Maybe with a small inline four for space savings. Keep the pistons in the block but have the glass sit where the head would normally bolt to the block. Yess... Time for some kijiji shopping

Upshift > Upshift 04/29/2015 at 13:54

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Actually I’ll ask my mechanic tonight hahahaha he may have some scraps laying around.

Seth Adams > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:56

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Skirt - that’s the word you were looking for

Burn535i > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:58

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At first I scowled at the idea, but the more I think of it, the pallet really adds to that look of it bring something rugged and out of a shop while also being re-purposed furniture. Like a motor sitting in the shipping department of a machine shop ready to get swapped into a living room...

Justin Hughes > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:58

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Now I wish I’d done this with my first Miata’s original engine after it spun a rod bearing and I replaced it. It would’ve been more of a side table, being a 4-cyl, but the glass would’ve had the whole top of the block to sit flat on as-is.

My original idea was to make a flower planter out of it, with one flower growing out of each cylinder - color coordinated to the appropriate part of the combustion cycle.

Hienax > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 13:59

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It should work for my as DIY project but I must add one step ...
GET DIVORCE!
...

3ch0 > Inyouindoh1 04/29/2015 at 14:03

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Looks like it could start walking around and maybe shoot some rebels. Sweet!

Redbulldidlo > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 14:04

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The part name you were looking for on the pistons would be the skirt.

Anyways, looks awesome!

SaidSauder > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 14:05

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Here is mine v12

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 14:07

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Congrats on the front page! OppoBlog effect... =)

SSurfer123 > Brian, The Life of 04/29/2015 at 14:11

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This is interior design. It is NOT a pallet base. It IS a reclaimed wood table base.

Shifting Lanes > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 14:18

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Once I get a house, this will be going in it. Holy shit it’s beautiful.

desertdog5051 > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 14:19

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Pretty cool. Would like to build one. *thinking aluminum block*

Pickup_man > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 14:19

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I’ve been wanting to make one of these for a long time. I’ve got a flathead V8 sitting around that would be pretty cool, but there is a straight 8 at the local pull it lot that would be a lot cooler.... Guess I know what I’m doing this weekend.

prossermc > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 14:22

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We have the same TV stand. Good choice

Pickup_man > desertdog5051 04/29/2015 at 14:22

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Wanting to build one too, definitely wanted to go aluminum block, but then I found a straight 8... Hope it’s still there this weekend....

WINGZERO > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 14:24

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I want a Porsche flat 6 table

marimvibe, new packaging, same great taste > Inyouindoh1 04/29/2015 at 14:25

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How is it in terms of pulling wine out of the cylinders? When I’ve considered doing it, I’ve kinda built my plans around using a Subaru 3.6L so that the wine would be stored horizontally and no problem to get out.

Brian, The Life of > SSurfer123 04/29/2015 at 14:27

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The builder is the one who called it a “pallet.” Take it up with him.

wætherman > Inyouindoh1 04/29/2015 at 14:30

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I came here to suggest FrankenBlaster use the extra pistons for legs, and here you have an example of that - nice work!

boobytrapsandtreasure > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 14:30

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Ever since I saw the one used on Top Gear UK I’ve wanted to do this with a V12. I may just do it yet because of you.

wætherman > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 14:34

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This looks great. I think the media blasting was the best decision you made; life is too short to huff oven cleaner all day, and there are some things that are worth paying for. Pre-cleaned shrimp and media blasting are two of them.

bpromersberger > ComporangeSN95 04/29/2015 at 14:42

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Turning the legs on a lathe....

Dan J > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 14:44

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boost table!
and in corner crank-night stand

Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 14:47

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Well done. Now find me a V12.

BMW 8 series....???? Those things are hopeless but look great I bet.

Plantonation > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 14:47

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I’m currently doing this with a LS1 out of a Trans Am. An old friend ruined it while drag racing.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 14:48

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This is perfect timing for me. I plan on hitting the local junkyard and finding an old jag v12 or a v8 like in this post. I’ve also convinced my father he needs to do this with a radial engine for his Air Force bar in the basement.

This summer is going to be epic, saving this post for future reference! :D

Howie > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 15:03

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Pretty cool, I wonder if you could've made table legs with the other four pistons, rods and the crankshaft?

SSurfer123 > Brian, The Life of 04/29/2015 at 15:05

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I should’ve added the /sarcasm tag.

blackhawk > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 15:12

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How did you end up with it haha?

philipilihp > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 15:14

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I need to do this one day. The wheel, though, is probably actually my favorite thing in your living room. Beautiful!

Inyouindoh1 > Sethersm 04/29/2015 at 15:16

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Yes, bolted right into the pan holes

Inyouindoh1 > marimvibe, new packaging, same great taste 04/29/2015 at 15:20

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Plenty of clearance for the wine bottles with the pistons supporting the glass. I’ve seen some tables where the glass is sitting right on top of the block and that wouldn’t work though.

I even put a battery powered led string around the crankshaft that will put a glow below and through the cylinders for a little accent

Orin > SSurfer123 04/29/2015 at 15:20

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Don’t worry, the rest of us got it.

Daniel Lo > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 15:32

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A friend’s 2JZGE coffee table.

Ryan Stewart > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 15:33

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Ugh, its too similar to the Top Gear table.

TRIGGER WARNING NEXT TIME!

flyingstitch > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 16:03

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That is impressive. Now, are you planning to get married? If so, a viewing of When Harry Met Sally might be in order.

HarriPooner > SSurfer123 04/29/2015 at 16:03

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Here in LA I've now been subjected to the term "Up-Cycled". Up-Cycled roughly translates into taking someone's garbage, making it useful, and selling it to hipsters at a 500% profit margin. I believe the palette could be classed as an up-cycled pallet, shabby chic, reclaimed wood, zero emission, homeopathic table base.

RyanFrew > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 16:04

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How did you get your hands on it? That’s unreal.

BLCKSTRM > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 16:12

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Awesome write-up!

I have an E46 M3 block that’s been sitting in my garage for 2 years now. Threw a rod - it’s NEVER coming back. I also have the glass from a table that broke. Amazingly, the wood broke when it got dropped but the glass didn’t. I just need some pistons and rods and a good weekend to get it done.

Maybe I’ll let this serve as motivation to get it done!

BLCKSTRM > Daniel Lo 04/29/2015 at 16:14

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I like that! I have an E46 M3 block I need to finish, and what you’ve got looks great.

The Devil Drives a Mustang (Rotary Pending) > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 16:39

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Oooh! Can us rotary guys play too?

The first is a lamp made out of an eccentric shaft.

The 2nd is rotor housings turned into a fishbowl.

The last is a classic coffee table.

Brian, The Life of > SSurfer123 04/29/2015 at 16:43

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HA! Sorry ... should have known.

XJDano > FrankenBlaster 04/29/2015 at 17:25

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Good job.

I’m in the process of making a couple and keeping an eye on CL for cheap starters.

I picked up a Miata engine for $20, and a jeep 4.0 for $50. I was going to start with a 4.0 but it weighs a ton, parted it out, made about $50, then bought an aluminum block v6, then bought another 4.0

I plan on making it into a table for a buddy’s shop to trade for some labor.

Wife says I can have a engine table in the dining room, I just need to get it done.