UNIVERSAL CYLINDER HEAD AND ENGINE BLOCK PRESSURE TESTING UNIT

Abstract: A cylinder head or engine block (10) pressure testing unit which comprises a jig (13) with longitudinal and cross bars, (20) and (21), which are adaptable to fit any size engine block (10). The bars (20) and (21) are clamped together and to the engine block (10) with a clamping means (23) being placed in slot means (22) to vary the assembled configuration. The jig (13) is used to clamp sealing plates (14) to cover coolant holes on the cylinder head or engine block (10).

Description: UNIVERSAL CYLINDER HEAD AND ENGINE BLOCK PRESSURE TESTING UNIT TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the pressure testing of engine blocks or cylinder heads, and in particular to a unit with a universal jig for use with sealing plates, this being adaptable to fit a multitude of engines. BACKGROUND In the past when pressure testing cylinder heads or engine blocks, it has been necessary to make a plate for every waterhoTe as the differing makes of engines had differing dimensions. Accordingly, labour and materials for each job, and consequently the cost to both the tester and the owner, were dependent upon this. Furthermore, when "cold" repairs were made on an engine it was sometimes considered cost effective not to test the repairs resulting in the fitting of, say an oversized valve seat or a damaged 0-ring. Thus the faulty work would be detected by the customer after the engine was in operation, leading to frustration, bad client contact and increased costs. However, this risk of not fully checking the repair is usually only taken due to the apparatus which has been needed to complete the repair. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the known disadvantages of the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one broad form of the invention, there is provided an engine block or cylinder head pressure testing unit comprising a jig of at least two longitudinal bars adjustably spaced and a plurality of cross bars also adjustably spaced, each of said longitudinal and cross bars including lengthwise slot means to receive clamping means to clamp said jig to a head or block being tested, the relative positions of said cross bars and longitudinal bars being variable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a cylinder head with the jig fitted thereon; Fig. 2 shows the elevational view of the cylinder head and jig of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a series of universal plates for use with the present invention; Fig. 4 shows a thermostat face with a sealing plate and clamp jig; Fig. 5 shows the elevational view of Fig 4; Fig. 6 shows a manifold face, sealing plate and clamping jig; Fig. 7 shows the elevational view of Fig 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In Fig. T there is depicted a cylinder head 10 set up for pressure testing with a pressure source 11- and clamping jig 13. Fig. 2 shows the elevational view of the cylinder head 10 as set for testing, the head 10 being mounted on stands 12. The jig 13 comprises two longitudinal bars 20 and a plurality of cross bars 21. Each of the bars 20 and 21 has a lengthwise slot 22 therein to accommodate clamping means 23, so that the bars 20 and 21 can be assembled in different configurations. In this way the jig 13 can accommodate many makes of engine. A series of sealing plates 14 with differing dimensions is depicted in Fig 3, it being envisaged that in the preferred form, at least a set of such plates 14 is provided with every testing unit. These plates 14 are assembled over the coolant holes of the engine and the jig 13 arranged on top to secure the plates 14 thereon. Figure 4 depicts a thermostat face 15 with a sealing plate 16 in pTace, a clamping jig 17 to be placed thereon, and clamped in place as seen in Fig 5. A similar representation is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 in respect of a manifold face 18. It can be seen that the waterholes are thus covered by the plate 16. Quite clearly, the preferred form of the present invention consists of the provision of the universally sized plates 14 so that the tester can "custom fit" the correct clamping face and jig 13 to each engine to avoid the expensive and time consuming task of actually making the plates 14 for each engine. In this manner, much time and expense is saved, together with encouraging the testing of repai s done on engines as opposed to the direct pressure testing of the engine. Accordingly, a safer and more cost effective testing procedure is obtained. However, it is the jig 13 and the adaptability thereof to suit many engines which is the essence of the invention. The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present invention and modifications obvious to those skilled in the art, it can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An engine block or cylinder head pressure testing unit comprising a jig of at least two longitudinal bars adjustably spaced and a plurality of cross bars also adjustably spaced, each of said longitudinal and cross bars including lengthwise slot means to receive clamping means toclamp said jig to a head or block being tested, the relative positions of said cross and longitudinal bars being variable. 2. The testing unit of claim 1 further comprising a series of sealing plates to cover coolant holes on said head or block, wherein said sealing plates are clamped to said head or block by said jig in the desired configuration of the head or block. 3. The testing unit of claim 1 or 2 wherein spacers are placed between said head and said jig. 4. The testing unit of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said • ealing .plates differ.

Inventors: MORRISON ROBERT MALCOLM, MORRISON, ROBERT MALCOLM
Applicants: MORRISON ROBERT MALCOLM, MORRISON, ROBERT MALCOLM
Application year: 1987
Main classification: G01M3
IPC codes: G01M3