Off the Shelf Engine Stands

[Stooge]

I ended up finding and picking up an engine for my '37 Buick earlier than I was expecting, and now I'd like to get it on a stand, to atleast get it unhooked from the hoist, off the floor and out of the way a little bit. Problem being, its a Buick 320 straight 8, somewhere around 850-900lbs, and about 44-46" long, so a good amount of weight and leverage.

Anything off the shelf and budget conscious worth looking at, before I start cobbling something together, as for something like this, I would rather modify an existing stand, than start from scratch. I've been searching for what some of the straight 6 Cummins guys are using as they are in the same neighborhood length and weight wise, but a lot of that is either use the HF 2000lb ones, or Don't use the HF ones, without much else for suggestion

Next to a 327 SBC for comparison

2017-11-07_02-09-23 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/152265646@N08/

 

[rsanter]

Just get a heavy duty of the shelf stand. If concerned you can weld a little added bracing to them

Bob

 

[billwood437]

Drop in the small block. Much more room...[emoji16]

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[Lotek]

Bolt two stands together, attach to both ends of the motor.

 

[rpcraft]

I have a small engine stand that is made to sit on the floor and it comes in 3 pieces and is basically similar to a crate stand. It is great for storing an engine long term. I personally do not trust many of the engine stands out there to properly support an engine but I imagine it depends on the build quality, especially the budget store ones. I attempt to use them for as little time possible. Put it on for bottom end assembly to flip around and then get it off again as quick as I dare. This is the one I purchased for my LS project. I have another one for older Gen 3 small blocks. I usually just put them on the engine while it is on the hoist and set it on large sheet of doubled up 5/8 cabinet grade plywood big enough to cover the bottom and it has heavy duty caster wheels screwed to the plywood. You can supposedly put casters on the bottom of this stand but I already had my HD cart built, lol. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QG5GHG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[astroracer]

Build a box around the oil pan flange and set it on a Harbor Freight furniture dolly. My BBC has been setting like this for 4 years now. It is easy to move around and there is no danger of it tipping over.

Mark

 

[Stooge]

The idea of using 2 of them opposing each other crossed my mind, and theres an OTC brand diesel stand that is essentially the same idea, just for $1100.
I have a few of those low to the ground engine cradle types for small blocks and was thinking of modifying a short industrial stand i have that has slots for a pallet jack to make it something similar to an egine cradle stand, just wouldnt be too mobile and also is fairly narrow and with this thing being 3ft tall, could be a little uncertain.
Also thinking of getting one of the 2000lb rotating stands, extend the front legs a little bit to atleast clear the front of the engine. maybe add a brace to tie the legs together and from the front legs, use some rectangular tubing to make braces and bolt to the front of the block or use the front motor mounts to distribute some of the weight a bit.
I have some various tubing, maybe i'll just buy a stand and adjust accordingly!

 

[crf450x]

When I put a diesel on a stand I use a stand that bolts to the side of the block. I wouldn't want a big inline engine supported from one end. That's a lot of weight a long way out. No way I'd trust it that way.

 

[larry4406]

+1 on Astroracer's idea.

I have a mopar 383 and 440 on same right now.

 

[finn]

The OTC type stands (and knockoffs) are the safe way to do it.

I would go with building the wooden pan rail support, or a steel tubing version, and a couple of furniture dollies or large casters until an OTC type stand comes up on Craigslist.

I had a 460 on a wooden stand for a couple of years.

 

[Stooge]

I do like Astroracer's idea, and am leaning in that direction but more based with steel tubing on a dolly to make it a little easier on myself, (I just prefer working with metal over wood) and so it can be more positively bolted down through the front motor mounts. Luckily I don't really have a big need to rotate it right now, so I can buy myself some time of searching for a deal on an otc dual type of stand for when I get to that point of needing it.

i'll start measuring and see what I can come up with, thanks guys!

 

[kb1982]

I have the Harbor Freight 2 ton stand and wouldn't worry one bit about it supporting your motor. But as with anything, be sure to give the welds a glance, and fire up the welder if need be.

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[bobcatdan]

Look at Sunnex or ATD for their geared head engine stand. Once you use a geared head to easily rotate the engine you will never go back. I have the older 1000 lbs one that has easily held 300 Ford's and smaller Deere diesels. The new ones are 1200 lbs.