The stand in the picture is plenty wide enough, as long as the pivot point is close to the center of gravity of the engine so there won't be a tendency for it to flip around as it's rotated to work om the bottom end. The extended legs are simply there to prevent tipping forward as weight such as the crankshaft damper, water pump, etc. are added during the assembly. If the engine is put back on the stand once the flywheel, clutch and bell housing is bolted on, there is a severe danger of tipping and/or rolling over violently, since there will be no way to get the pivot pipe close to center. It's much better to do that with the engine supported by some sort of cradle assembly that carries the weight on the oil pan rails. Plans for a wooden or steel cradle like that have been posted several tines.
Jerry
