Advise on an engine stand
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I bought the $109 one from harbor freight tools. I think its 2000 lbs rated. They have a fold up one or permanent. I bought the permanent because they didn't have the fold up in the store, but I had my complete engine sitting on it all winter in the garage.
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I bought the 4 wheel fold up job from PepBoys. Was around $100. Held my 402 fine, but don't know if it was my imagination or not, but it seemed to be starting to tip a little under the weight. What I mean is the front of the engine was sitting lower then the rear. Since I'm almost done building, I've since moved it to an engine cradle I bought from Jegs for around $30
As said, a cheap four leg stand will be find. Yes, a solid iron BBC will tend to sag a little in the stand. It is just a property of the bolt-together and cheapish nature of the stands.
If you plan on keeping it and using it a few times then I would suggest getting one with a crank to rotate the engine. If not, make sure you put a bunch of grease on the pipe when you put it together to help the engine rotate. Especially on a BBC long block I end up using the engine hoise with a chain on one corner to rotate the engine.
If you plan on keeping it and using it a few times then I would suggest getting one with a crank to rotate the engine. If not, make sure you put a bunch of grease on the pipe when you put it together to help the engine rotate. Especially on a BBC long block I end up using the engine hoise with a chain on one corner to rotate the engine.
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Good tip, Bill. Now, how come that's the first I've ever heard that?!?!
I borrowed a stand and cherry picker from a buddy, both pieces from Harbor Freight. Both scarey.
With my big block and heads on, it deflected downward a bunch! The wheelbase on the engine stand was so narrow that I was worried it the the center of gravity of the block+heads would be outside it and the whole thing would flip over. I put a bolt in a head bolt hole and used the crane to roll it upside down (I was doing a pan gasket). There was no way I could up-right it, and used the crane again.
Lowering the engine/bell/trans into the car, a couple of times the crane dropped an inch when i wanted a smooth quarter inch. I was plenty relieved once the motor/trans were back in the car on the mounts.
With my big block and heads on, it deflected downward a bunch! The wheelbase on the engine stand was so narrow that I was worried it the the center of gravity of the block+heads would be outside it and the whole thing would flip over. I put a bolt in a head bolt hole and used the crane to roll it upside down (I was doing a pan gasket). There was no way I could up-right it, and used the crane again.
Lowering the engine/bell/trans into the car, a couple of times the crane dropped an inch when i wanted a smooth quarter inch. I was plenty relieved once the motor/trans were back in the car on the mounts.
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