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The Harbor Freight ones as good as Eastwood, Napa, etc.?
Engine stand and lift
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mudflap
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They have a few different ones..I have the 1000lb version ...with the 2 wheels in front. It's stable rolling around the shop with a Big block Chevy on it. Not sure about the cheaper ones.
More appropriately I would say it's just as bad as any of the other cheap brands. If you do go with HF get the one that is somewhat more expensive one because it does support a little more load and when it comes to engine stands when they are bouncy that really can't be a good thing.
What I mean is if HF sells one that says 1000 pounds and another one that says 2000 pounds, go with the 2000 pound unit. I doubt it will truly hold a 2000 pound motor but I am sure it will be far sturdier than 1000 pound stand.
The Fall
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I can vouch for the 2-ton cherry picker engine hoist. The hot rod garage opened six years ago, I started out part time almost two years ago, and that engine hoist has been there the entire time. It's lifted countless engines -- including Cadillac big blocks -- and we do a lot of engine rebuilds. The pins at the leg are the only weak point -- you have to lift them to align the holes and then stick the pins in. That's a total no-brainer purchase right there. It's one of the few things that ranks as highly as their tool boxes.
mudflap
Well-known member
This is what you want..i have 2 of them. They are worth the extra money if you are going to be using one often.. I rebuild pre 1987 engines for a couple race teams..and others for side money. So i have a total of 7 stands in my shop right now..My most solid one was built by my Son as his High school shop project. but it weighs about 200lbs...lol.
https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/800...MIw6PC6Z7O3wIVCqZpCh3YiQb_EAQYAyABEgLfXPD_BwE
Magnum440d100
Well-known member
I have 4 engines on stands right now. A dodge 318, a dodge 360, a GM 3.8, and a Ford 460.
They are all on Harbor freight stands. 1 of the stands is a super old harbor freight I bought at a yard sale for $5 (1000lb), 2 are new 1000lb ones I bought from harbor freight, and one (the 460) is on a 2000lb harbor freight stand.
I’ve had B.B. Chrysler’s on a 750, but recommend the 1000lb or up, preferably 2000lb
What and wherever you buy, get the one with the 2 front wheels in the T pattern. I haven’t had issues with the single wheel ones, but I move these motors around, and the extra perceived stability is nice.
One thing I have done, is created kits of hardware in grade 8 for the various motor manufactures in the correct length and with wide washers.
They are all on Harbor freight stands. 1 of the stands is a super old harbor freight I bought at a yard sale for $5 (1000lb), 2 are new 1000lb ones I bought from harbor freight, and one (the 460) is on a 2000lb harbor freight stand.
I’ve had B.B. Chrysler’s on a 750, but recommend the 1000lb or up, preferably 2000lb
What and wherever you buy, get the one with the 2 front wheels in the T pattern. I haven’t had issues with the single wheel ones, but I move these motors around, and the extra perceived stability is nice.
One thing I have done, is created kits of hardware in grade 8 for the various motor manufactures in the correct length and with wide washers.
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Magnum440d100
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Magnum440d100
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As far as lifts, I bought my 1 ton harbor freight lift used almost 10(?) years ago. I use it just about exclusively. It’s my go to for light duty work (4 and 6 cylinder).
If you’re doing anything bigger or PLAN to do anything bigger, get the 2 ton right off the bat. I got the 1 ton because it was all I could find at the time and I NEEDED something immediately. I forget why I couldn’t get one at harbor freight. Out of stock maybe? I can’t remember.
If you’re doing anything bigger or PLAN to do anything bigger, get the 2 ton right off the bat. I got the 1 ton because it was all I could find at the time and I NEEDED something immediately. I forget why I couldn’t get one at harbor freight. Out of stock maybe? I can’t remember.
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d.mcfarland
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For the stand, I'd get one rated double what you think the engine actually will weigh.
WittHay
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Ohmthis
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I have the 1000 lb and 750 lb stands from HF. The smaller one is ok for a 4 banger maybe a smaller v6. I have a 5.0 on it now and it scares me with no exhaust headers on it. I’d use the bigger one, but it has a 460 on it now waiting for the heads to come back. I also have the 2 ton foldable engine hoist. It is invaluable! I’ve used it for more things than I can count.
This is my typical approach to Chinesium. Stay under 50% of the spec and you should be relatively safe. Like Mudflap says if you are serious about rebuilding engines buy something nicer but otherwise this thing is serviceable at a great price point.
One thing to note is the different leg design on the 1 ton. It’s foldable for easier storage but that means the legs don’t mate up well with the hoist. The smaller models fit inside the folding legs on the hoist.
d.mcfarland
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joshmodelskidoo
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I have an old Cummins tool stand. I assume it’s identical to the hf 750lb stand i got it for a 4.3 v6 but have had a small block chevy and a dodge flat head 6 on it. That flat head is sketchy seems like I put some sort of support under it till itore it down. Got an unbranded cherry picker with a hf jack on it and it pulled that flathead 6
Stooge
Well-known member
I have a 1 ton and a 2 ton HF engine hoist and after getting the 2 ton, I have yet to even touch the 1 ton. Well made and gives a lot more confidence in it over the 1ton when moving bigger engines and no having to stand on back of it to counterweight it like the smaller one. its moved a bunch of big blocks, a diesel or 2 and my buick engine without any question.
I have a few engine stands for small blocks, but im getting closer to needing a stand for my Buick straight 8, weighs in the mid 800lb range, but it's 42'ish inch length is what makes me nervous on a stand. Im thinking of a 2k rated stand with long enough legs that I could add some sort of front support to keep it a little more stable, even just some angle iron with holes punched in it to keep it mildly adjustable for rotating it. Any ideas that wont break the bank too badly?
next to a 327
2017-11-07_02-09-23 by Dan Haas, on Flickr
I have a few engine stands for small blocks, but im getting closer to needing a stand for my Buick straight 8, weighs in the mid 800lb range, but it's 42'ish inch length is what makes me nervous on a stand. Im thinking of a 2k rated stand with long enough legs that I could add some sort of front support to keep it a little more stable, even just some angle iron with holes punched in it to keep it mildly adjustable for rotating it. Any ideas that wont break the bank too badly?
next to a 327
2017-11-07_02-09-23 by Dan Haas, on Flickrsz0k30
Well-known member
Stay away from any 1/2 ton units. They don't have the load capacity, and just as important don't have the reach. As far as the 1 ton models they are all pretty much the same and they all work. Have pulled & installed many big block/trans combos without any worries or problems. Even on cars with extremely long hoods/front ends such as my buddies 70 Grand Prix & my 75 Monte Carlo.
Reach is another good point, as much as capacity. If you go with the 2 ton units you will be able to extend that hook all the way out and pick up from the furthest point and it will allow you drop the engine lower and lift it higher over the front of the vehicle. If you are doing something like a lifted truck then you want it to get as high as possible and a lot of the 1 ton units are not going to get it done.
finn
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For the in-line Buick engine, see if there are tapped holes on the side of the block to mount some sort of engine stand adaptor jig so the engine can be mounted sideways on the engine stand, to avoid cantilevering the weight away from the rear wheels.
The issue with an engine like that on a stand is as much where the center of gravity ends up as much as how strong the stand is.
Look into commercially available Diesel engine stands, although be forewarned that they are pricey for hobby use.
The issue with an engine like that on a stand is as much where the center of gravity ends up as much as how strong the stand is.
Look into commercially available Diesel engine stands, although be forewarned that they are pricey for hobby use.
Stooge
Well-known member
I had thought of trying to find a side mount stand to bring the weight in a little closer to the stand, but unfortunately, aside from the exhaust and intake bolt holes which are too small to comfortably support the engine, as well as i'll need to access them, theres no side mounts. I've seen a few of the off the shelf diesel stands and big OTC brand stands and at those prices, I would probably make my own. I've come across a few threads on buick forums showing the use of standard 2000lb stands, both without modification and with making the legs a little longer to counter the weight and also adding a front support with unistrut/ angle iron. Seem to be quite a few people using those stands for inline 6 diesels without issue, which makes me feel slightly more confident in them. Probably the way I am going to go, atleast as a starting point, and will be ahead money wise modifying one rather than starting from scratch, and I think as long as I can take some of the load off on the front of it with a front support, it should be alright...hopefully!