The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Engine Stand for 216

I have an opportunity to purchase a 216 engine for parts or future rebuild. I would like to put it on an engine stand that I can roll about. Does anyone know if the common engine stand that is out there will work?

I'm using a 1250 lb capacity cheap chinese import stand that has four wheels to hold up a 235 and it has been ok for over a year but I keep my feet out from under it and there is no head on the engine.

216's are long, which is the main issue here. Get a stand that has a base with an I configuration so it will be resistive to tipping. Take off the flywheel bellhousing before you put it on, and take the generator and water pump off to keep the center of gravity as far back as you can.

Be very careful when flipping the engine over on the stand, use as long a bar as you can and support the front with a rope or old V-belt around the harmonic balancer with a hoist.

Check out these stands..........American Made

web page

I purhased several of these . . .

[img]http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/143557_lg.jpg[/img]

From Northern tool to hold 216's and 235's

They will not work well as designed, I used a cutting torch to trim the top of the stands by cutting 45 degree reliefs so the oil pan flange wouldn't be damaged.

I also cut the web from the angle iron on the cross bar so that it would fit between the oilpan and the flywheel / bellhousing for motors that had the tranny still attached.

I didn't use the cross piece for the part of the stand that went under the front of the motor - instead I drilled newer holes below the existing hole and used a 3/8" piece of allthread to suck the towers about 1/4" closer together.

All mods took about an hour on the first one and about 15 minutes each on the others once I had a system down.

Now I can roll a 235 around in my shop with ease and it fits under the stair case with a bag over it - no problem.

I have one similar to this , but it is welded together and was made in USA. I don't know if the one pictured is or not. Probably not, but when you need something like this; you have to decide if it's a one time use item, or something that will get regular use. I have built several engines on mine (and not all GM either).

Google will show you the way........Happy Hunting

When building a motor, the stand pointed out by GMC248 is the way to go, I have a 292 mounted to a stand like that right now.

For storing a motor, the stand pictured above is about the best deal I have found. I now have 3 of these stands populated with inline motors and am considering buying another to hold a 261.

OK, I'm about ready to get the engine and need to purchase a stand. Can anyone tell me how much a complete 216 weights? It has everything on it except carb. I just want to make sure a 1250 lbs. stand is sufficient. If not, I can get a 2000 lbs.

My restoration guide for the '48 says a 216 and clutch (?) weigh 582 lb. The engine, clutch and tranny weigh 639 lb. They had an engine stand in those days that would take the engine, clutch and tranny. If you remove the bell housing, it will weigh less than the 582.

I know folks have used the 750 and 1000 lb stands with T-shaped bases for the long stovebolts. I used a 1250 lb with a U-shaped base. I liked it but I didn't do the rebuild myself. I just used it to strip down my 235 and do minor work on my rebuilt 261. I'd suggest a U-shaped base.

You wouldn't need a 2000 lb stand unless you're working on that other great straight six....the Cummins for a D*dge truck.