engine stand bolts

[uhcrandy]

Ok Just bought an engine stand. I will be hanging a ford 390 on it. How do I bolt this to the stand? I mean what type of Bolts do I use? Are there bolt sets for different engines?

 

[cyamaha2007]

Mine uses the hardware store special bolts

 

[rsanter]

often the old head bolts and main bolts are the same thread as used to bolt on the trans.

otherwise you take a drive to the hardware store

bob

 

[Tscott]

Yep, Use what you got. They don't need to be fancy.

Tom

 

[TheGrooveking]

I strongly recommend using nothing less than a grade 5 bolt for holding engines on stands. Remember on a engine stand the bolts are seeing a shear load (sideways load) not just a compressive/extension load. Be careful as to some hardware stores are stocking cheap import bolts, which are fine for holding a piece of your fence together but not holding a 600 or more pound engine from falling. Consider the money spent on the bolts cheap insurance, and don't forget to put washers under the bolt heads to ensure they don't get pulled into the engine stand mount holes.

TheGrooveking

 

[compman25]

7/16-14 about 3" to 4" long

 

[harvero]

A 390 is a heavy beast, use grade 8. I've bent grade 5 bolts hanging a 440 block and a Pontiac 400 before I stated using grade bolts to hang the block on my stand. Never had an issue with the grade 8 bolts.

 

[deathbound]

Use grade 8, how much can a few bolts really cost compared to a damaged block/engine?

 

[Torque1st]

Use grade 8, how much can a few bolts really cost compared to a damaged block/engine?

A smashed foot is REALLY costly compared to an engine and is not replaceable.

Look for bolts that will protrude thru the stand arms 3/4" (1-1/2 diameters) with a grade 8 washer under the head.

 

[uhcrandy]

7/16-14 about 3" to 4" long

Thanks, thats what I was looking for. How many other thread pitch are there? SBC is 3/8, are all BOP the same? What about fords are thay all 7/16?

Thanks

 

[compman25]

Pretty sure that all ford v8's before the metric age are 7/16-14. No clue on any other manufacturers, have never worked on any others.

 

[irisservice]

pickup new grade 8 bolts...i have seen a motor fall with local store bolts

 

[nissan_crawler]

A 390 is a heavy beast, use grade 8. I've bent grade 5 bolts hanging a 440 block and a Pontiac 400 before I stated using grade bolts to hang the block on my stand. Never had an issue with the grade 8 bolts.

how in the hell can you bend a bolt on an engine stand?! Break I could see, but bend? Something isn't right.

We had fully dressed big blocks on ours all the time (including tall deck big blocks), and even some diesels, and always used grade 5. Hell, I used to sit on top of the stand while doing some of the work.

 

[troublemaker427]

We've used FE head bolts for over 40 years and we build quite a few FE's. They are all you need.

 

[Gizzy]

I use grade 8's...they don't cost that much more. Just my opinion. Giz'

 

[sberry]

First thing that came to mind was using soft bolts, a grade 5 would be sufficient. Tight is a good thing.

 

[Falcon67]

All the Ford blocks I have here use 7/16-14 thread on the bell bolts. No FEs. I use bolts that thread about 3/4" into the block. Use a quality G5 or G8 bolt with a good washer under the head. And torque them solid - you don't have to go to the 65 ft/lbs like bolting up the bell since there's no vibration, etc to work them loose. But 40+ ft/lbs at least and make them even as it evens stress on the block. The FE is a heavy bi-atch, I'd be more worried about the stand than the bolts.

 

[mustangmccance]

I just use the bell housing or transmission bolts that I took out when I pulled the engine.

 

[Yardgoat]

I use grade 8 also,just because i feel better doing so.Im sure you know this but mount the head,the part that goes on engine, unto the motor and center it up the best you can/eye ball is ok/.Then lift and slide it thru the opening on your stand.ive seen people fight tring to leave the head on the stand.Also if in dought with engine on stand you can cut a 2x4 or? to put under the front of the motor to stand or floor,and remove it to turn ect.Be safe..........................YG

 

[troublemaker427]

All the Ford blocks I have here use 7/16-14 thread on the bell bolts. No FEs. I use bolts that thread about 3/4" into the block. Use a quality G5 or G8 bolt with a good washer under the head. And torque them solid - you don't have to go to the 65 ft/lbs like bolting up the bell since there's no vibration, etc to work them loose. But 40+ ft/lbs at least and make them even as it evens stress on the block. The FE is a heavy bi-atch, I'd be more worried about the stand than the bolts.

A FE is lighter than a 429/460 and others.

The FE series of Ford engines started with the 352 cid engine, and continued through the 390, 427 and 428. The series also includes a number of truck variations as small as 332 cid. They haven't been produced since the early 70's! The FE series was a thin-wall design preceding the 221/260, so the weight was pretty reasonable: 610 lbs for an all iron engine, with flywheel and carburetor. With the current parts available, we have measured the weight of a complete all-aluminum 427 (Shelby) to be as low as 460 lbs, 20 less than a 289 iron small block. Aluminum heads, water pump and intake on an iron block results in about 520 lbs. In contrast, an iron Chevy big block is about 700 lbs and the 350 small block about 560 lbs.