911 Engine Coffee Table

[RallyJon]

OK, got the green light on this from my wife, so it looks like my first 911 engine build will have exceptionally low standards.

Basically, this is totally form over function. I want to build the outside of a 911 engine--no crank, flywheel, rods or pistons, valvetrain, etc. Some nice, worn out carbs with shiny stacks will look good on top. Obviously no tin or shroud. I intend to clean everything completely, but not polish. I'll use a nice show-car bare metal clearcoat like Eastwood sells for protection.

For mounting I'm thinking of a shallow cradle that will provide wide carpet pads underneath the engine and solid, bolt-through support for the glass top. My mechanic does metal sculpture in his spare time and loved the idea of fabricating the cradle.

So my question is this: From a purely aesthetic (and by aesthetic I mean visually attractive, not motorhead impressive) standpoint, should I use a magnesium case or aluminum? Which components? Any other suggestions or ideas?

[Rick Lee]

I think you're not too far from Autotechnik in Pennington, NJ. They have a 911 engine as a coffee table in their lobby. Check it out.

[kellzey]

There was a 928 engine coffee table on E-bay a couple of years ago. It looked pretty damn cool!

[RickM]

I think using contrasting textures and colors will enhance the look of the engine. Perhaps red valve covers (with porsche text), cad plated accessories, bead blasted/cleared mag parts and a few pieces polished.

[Rick Lee]

BTW, the local BMW gov't. relations office here has an M3 case for a coffee table and wheels as bar table bases in their reception area. They also have a phat bike in their conference room.

[Zeke]

Since this will be a prop and nothing more, I would bead blast the case, cyls, heads, etc. In that vain, you could use either kind of csae, whatever you can get you hands on. I'm sure there are numerous mismatched and cracked cases available. Even cast iron cyls have a nice dark pewter look to them in the raw. Having the carbs redone in the gold finish would add some nice contrast and I think the polished stacks will look stupendous, not to mention provide a great base for the table top. All new fasteners will complete the look. Sounds like a fun project.

[masraum]

I think the Al will provide a more lasting pleasing finish than Mg

[RickM]

For some ideas:



Black looks good mixed in.

[markwemple]

That is one expensive looking table. Wasp radial?

[Tim Walsh]

wow that rocks.. I've got a trashed case I'm thinking of redoing in this way but just the case.. have it bead/sand blasted, leave the head studs and pull the other studs from the other half of the case then prop it up on the head studs, case up...

[RickM]

Oh, sorry. It's a 1936 Lycoming, R680, 9-cylinder, radial aircraft engine.

http://home.pacbell.net/geetumor/index_pic13.html

[limble]

Use aluminum. It cleans up better than mag.
I have some old timing chain covers and bits and pieces of two zenith carbs that I will donate.

If you want them send me a PM.

[Grady Clay]

I recommend adding more junk parts to make a seemingly complete engine with crank pulley, flywheel, a cam and rockers, etc.

First off, use carburetors or MFI as they have more intricate parts and give a base for the glass to set on or close too.

I agree; contrasting colors and patina will be good. Use the factory colors for everything, partial red fan shroud, silver/gold cadmium plating, black paint, natural fiberglass, and a variety of appropriate original metal finishes (you can chemically age them).

The table should be a ¾” glass top with about 6” extra on each side, Lexan sides, and a mirror bottom. It should be reasonably well sealed so you don’t have to dust anything. It works best if you can vacuum under it. I’ll bet that cool 9-cylinder is difficult to keep clean.

Trick Factory parts will make it more interesting. Find a junk twin plug distributor set up. SS fuel lines and ignition wires will help. Use all the oil plumbing. Leave one intake valve cover off so the cam and rockers are visible and the right chain cover off so the chain/cam is visible.

Above all, post some pictures for us!

I have seen some really cool Porsche coffee tables: 4&8-Cly 4-Cam, TAG, and of course Bob Garretson’s 935.

I admonish everyone; if you have a spare engine, make it complete and then display it as a coffee table.

Best,
Grady

[Superman]

As much as I like my AL case, I'd think the magnesium could potentially make a better presentation. Sand or bead blast it, then just clearcoat it to preserve. It should be a medium grey, contrasting with the polished parts you should use, and other finishes such as cadmium plate, paint, etc. I'd probably leave the shroud off, so the cylinders can be seen easily.

[vash]

but what would i do with my old cable spool coffee table?

[RallyJon]

Great suggestions--thanks for the input.

Mike, I appreciate the offer, but I'm going to try and find a non-rebuildable engine locally to use, so I won't know what I'm missing until I get it.

[dheinz]

Here's something to look at.

[araine901]

Mag will look good for about two seconds then start to turn black and crappy. I tried it on VW cases a long time ago. Those were not too bad because they have a fair bit of aluminum in them. A few years back Rock Shox tried to use a gold clear over polished mag. It looked ok until they shipped and by the time they got to the customer they looked like an ass biscut. Mag just oxidizes too soon compaired to aluminum.

[cegerer]

Here's my Porsche TAG-Turbo coffee table

[RallyJon]

ass biscut

OK, then. Mag cases were used from '70-77, right? So, I'm looking for a 2.0L or an SC.