HF engine stand, can't seem to turn engine over

[daveinwestland]

Hey anybody with HF engine stands have any tricks to getting the motor to turn upside down? I can't budge the thing, I keep thinking it's just going flop upside down but it wont budge

 

[neblinc]

I have a 4 cyl tractor engine on mine right now, be sure you back off the bolt far enough to let the pipe be loose, and you may have to rock and lift the engine to move the pipe away from the stand slightly. I just think there is pressure on the pipe that is keeping it from turning.

Randy

P.S. And don't force anything, whatever you have on the stand will be heavy, and I only trust the HF stuff to a certain point, so make all adjustments slowly and without force.

 

[bmwpower]

Did you grease the rotation point? You need to grease this area if you want to be able to move it with ease.

It also helps to get a longer bar than the one included with the stand. It's amazing what a couple more inches of length will do.

 

[daveinwestland]

thanks guys, you know I am moving the engine to my house on friday and will take the oppurtunity to grease it at that point. I remember someone suggesting that I put a grease fitting in there. When I back that bolt off, how top heavy is that motor going to be (455 buick)? I guess I am just concerned that it may flop over and damage the stand or me . It is the 1 ton HF stand too by the way

 

[bmwpower]

thanks guys, you know I am moving the engine to my house on friday and will take the oppurtunity to grease it at that point. I remember someone suggesting that I put a grease fitting in there. When I back that bolt off, how top heavy is that motor going to be (455 buick)? I guess I am just concerned that it may flop over and damage the stand or me . It is the 1 ton HF stand too by the way

Not sure about that motor, but a 302 still took a good deal of rotational force to get it to turn over. Once it got past a certain point, it'll want to flip over, so be careful. Might want to grab your buddy and a longer rod just to be safe. A longer rod (I used my engine crane rod which is like 5-6 inches longer) will allow you to apply more counterforce so that you can slowly turn it over.

 

[MarkH]

Had to grind a couple rough spots off mine, Light coat of grease, then it worked. Still watch the engine some do want to flip once you have them going and are a bear to get back in the upright position.

 

[mulepackin]

I know it's too late now, but did you make sure the mount rotated on the shaft before you bolted the engine to it?. Its amazing what a little rust or paint or other debris can do, especially after its got a load on it.

 

[Thumper]

Make damn sure that the center of the pivot is centered between the top of the heads and the bottom of the block (not the pan). Having your weight off center is what makes these motors wanna "flip" around real quick and get you hurt. Most of the time the center of the motor is the camshaft, if you line the center of the pivot up with the cam plug you should be close.

 

[mustangguy]

hook a cherry picker up to it for the first time then you'll know if its gonna take off then it wont fall

 

[daveinwestland]

I put two grease fittings on it, greased the hell out of it and it worked fine. Thanks to everybody for the suggestions!