home made engine stands

[Jon Jacobs]

Has anyone built their own engine stand ? I realise you can buy one from China cheaper than you can make one, but I really wouldn't trust the welds on it. I would prefer to build my own. I have a 351 Cleveland im rebuilding, its very heavy. Would like to see what you guys came up with.

 

[brownbagg]

those from HF will hold anything you have, just stay away from tri pods and get the four wheel. HF had a deal, buy the cherry picker and get the engine stand free, at one time.

 

[DodgeMech]

Ex bossman had an awesome one his brother fab'd up...strong enough to hold a dressed out(cept for trans adapter/clutch and whatnot) Cummins ISB from the back...which weighs around 1000 pounds or so...

 

[Makoto]

Yeah just get it from HF and beef it up if need be. That's gonna be cheaper and easier than doing your own.

 

[c4cruiser]

those from HF will hold anything you have, just stay away from tri pods and get the four wheel. HF had a deal, buy the cherry picker and get the engine stand free, at one time.

Look at the 1000 lb capacity HF engine stand. Either #69886 or #69520. The price is $60 for either one. They also have a 2000 lb capacity version but it's twice as much in cost.

The customer reviews of these two stands point out that you should swap out the nuts and bolts with stronger ones and maybe even drill out the holes to a slightly larger size. Use SAE Grade 8 or metric grade 10.9 for the replacements. From the reviews, it sounded like the supplied fasteners are of a pretty cheap quality.

I recall that Hot Rod Magazine did a review of the three different HF engine stands, and the consensus was that the 1000 lb version was the best overall especially for the price.

 

[sr71]

Dad and I made one 30 years ago.... sorry don't have a picture - a few details:
- we used bearings to make it easier to rotate the engine
- two legs (not a tri pod)
- legs hinged (foldable) for easier storage / transport
It'll cost you more to build your own .... fabricating from scratch is great therapy + every fab project adds to your skill set + satisfaction

 

[sr71]

Dad and I made one 30 years ago.... sorry don't have a picture - a few details:
- we used bearings to make it easier to rotate the engine
- two legs (not a tri pod)
- legs hinged (foldable) for easier storage / transport
It'll cost you more to build your own .... fabricating from scratch is great therapy + every fab project adds to your skill set + satisfaction

 

[c39er]

I just got a OTC engine stand and had to modify it with a adjustable extension slide so I could mount long straight "8" engines on it.....

 

[Cadillac fan]

At school there are a few home-made engine stands. They have lasted much longer than the bought ones. The mounts are adjustable for different engines.

Unfortunately though, the engine cannot be rotated, it's more for running and testing and doing pracs on. (we have some old Holden engines including a HQ)

 

[Strouty]

I modified a large engine stand to use for smaller engines. It is nice when you need to rotate the engine. It will also tilt it up and down quite a bit. Then when I want to use it for big diesel engines I can. It does take up more space, but it was worth it for me.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Has anyone built their own engine stand ? I realise you can buy one from China cheaper than you can make one, but I really wouldn't trust the welds on it. I would prefer to build my own. I have a 351 Cleveland im rebuilding, its very heavy. Would like to see what you guys came up with.

I don't trust myself with anything that requires high weight tolerances (and I don't weld...garage is too small/filled with flammable stuff). But if you really want to do it you could use 1.5" (or bigger) tubular steel or iron pipe and just "borrow" the mounting portion from a lesser stand and just weld it all together. Assuming you mean fixed engine stand.

What am I talking about. I have to think about this better because it will definitely tip over if you don't angle the pipe right. Get one of the engineers on here to address that.

 

[sberry]

The welding is near flawless on that HF built stuff. I would spend for the heavier model but the 1K has been well reviewed.
I have 2 I built, if I didn't own a welding shop and it wasn't 35 yrs ago would buy one. I don't think I have a pic of a heavy one in my junkyard but this I bought used way back in the day for 50 or so and re did the head.

 

[ratdoggy]

Yeah just get it from HF and beef it up if need be. That's gonna be cheaper and easier than doing your own.

I would just treat their welds as tack welds.

 

[sberry]

My Bud got a HF cherrypicker, world class flawless welding let alone compared to the amateurs at OTC that built mine.

 

[Danguitarman]

I just bought a 2 ton cherry picker from HF, and frankly, the welds look horrible. Porosity on nearly every one. I don't doubt they will hold, but calling them "world class" is an exaggeration, to say the least. Maybe they look better on the stand, but I'd have to see it to believe it.

 

[Srxspec]

Built this to hold & turn over a DT466 engine. Used a gear box off of an irrigation unit.

 

[crewchief888]

I modified a large engine stand to use for smaller engines. It is nice when you need to rotate the engine. It will also tilt it up and down quite a bit. Then when I want to use it for big diesel engines I can. It does take up more space, but it was worth it for me.

IMHO
you cant beat one of those OTC revolver stands.

it'll hold a fully dressed JD 6619

man i rebuilt a LOT of JD engines and ZF ******'s on them.

 

[HemiRambler]

Here's mine

not much to look at but it's been going strong for 20 or so years now.

 

[sberry]

I wonder what went south,,, my Bud got some of that stuff,,, it has been a while but it was perfect, not a hole on the whole job. No undercut, no loose wire, no splatter.

 

[38Chevy454]

....... No undercut, no loose wire, no splatter.

....and no quality control, no calibrations, no operator training, no preventative maintenance on the welding equipment, no inspection standards......

I am just pointing out that there are a lot of factors for a production welding environment. HF can be a good stuff, especially for the occasional user. The engine stand is a good example of meeting the needs for most everyone.

 

[smoking stroker]

the harbor freight engine stand should meet your needs. I use one and it holds fully dressed diesel engines with not problems

 

[mrpowderkeg]

I have one that was the equivalent of a HF unit. I did strip it and beefed up the welds that I thought were marginal. I have had everything from continental NG engines on it to 460 fords. It's three wheeled, I have never had any problems.