Engine Stand Question

[pvienneau]

What Manufacturer and model for the stovebolt 216 type engines?

[mr48chev]

No matter what mfg or who sells it get one with four or more wheels.

This one isn't exactly cheap but it doesn't cost anywhere near what an OTC stand does either http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-918010/

Something like the one above would be stable with just about any car or light truck engine except a bigger diesel on it.

[Maximus]

yea, im not clear on the original question, because just about every engine stand has 4 adjustable arms to maneuver to any bolt pattern you throw at it...

i used this cheapy HF stand for my 400 Poncho - and it has alot of iron!

http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb...and-32916.html

[mr48chev]

Those Harbor Freight ones are ok for most V8 engines but with an inline six the weight is further out and several inches of the engine would be out past the front wheels. I've got my 292 on one similar to that HF one that has been modified and it's still a bit scary to move it around the garage. It handles a small block like a champ though.

this AC Delco one can be bought at O'Reilly's
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...0767&ppt=C0373

One similar to the HF one
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...0767&ppt=C0373

[magicoolbus]

When I rebuil my 235. I used the HF engine stand as shown above. I worked great with the shortblock, but when the cylinder head and accessories were added, it got very nose heavy and I decided to use my HF engine hoist as an insurance policy. To do it again, I would invest in a more heavy duty one or simply modify the HF version.

[dicer]

I would be careful that is alot of stress on the rear of the engine block.

[mr48chev]

Dicer is correct on that aspect. You not only want a strong and well balanced frame on the engine stand you want the arms on the head to be strong as they aren't spread out as much as they would be on most other engines.

There are a couple of engine stands that mount front and back that work really nice but they are quite expensive along with one for heavy engines that mounts on both sides and is rotated with a hand cranked gear box.

Years ago a friend in Texas built his own very heavy duty engine stand with a 1/2 inch plate to bolt the back of the engine to rather than the adjustable arms. He built to hold his 426 Hemi and the block bolted directly to the plate.

I liked it because it was extremely strong and it didn't flex when you turned the engine over on the stand. What you could use it on was limited though.

[arturo7]

HF gear is OK if you only need it once. If you plan to use it again and again, it's better to spend the money for a quality tool.

[yossarian19]

I am still looking.
The voices of experience friends are unanimous in that you want two lower legs, like the Summit one linked above, instead of the single leg on the Harbor Freight pictured. Stability is king when you are moving, well, anything really.
Buy the best, and you only cry once.

[focusedontheprize]

I also had my 292 on a HF engine stand. Due to it being so nose heavy, I decided to use an older trailer stand we had around the garage and put underneath the oil pan. Little bit of pressure and everything was fine.

[hard3]

here is an article link to a test that Hot Rod Mag did a few months ago on the HF stands
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...engine_stands/

Jeff

[pvienneau]

Thanks for all the awesome suggestions and comments about engine stands. I found a Matco "Made in USA" 1250 from a mechanic no longer doing engine work for $80.00. It cleaned up to a nice Red with nice steel wheels. Cost 431.00 and "Made in China" if you bought it new today.