The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Rotating 261 on Engine Stand

Don't try this at home but the rotation was embarrassingly easy for me.

First, measurements told me the center of mass in my configuration (w/o water pump, manifolds, etc) would be well, well, way-well within the stand's footprint through the process. (Check this on your own engine and stand.) Even if my 261 was straight out, the head would extend over that leg by only 1".

Then, I hooked up an engine hoist and put a cheater pipe on the stand's pipe.

I did not grease the rotating surface so I had to turn the engine with the pipe to get it to start dropping. There was enough friction that I had to push on the pipe to get the engine to drop down.

I had worried about the motor swinging down on its own but I had to push on the pipe to rotate the engine. Gravity wasn't enough for me.

So, make your own decision. Do all the analysis to decide if you can safely do this with your equipment.