The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest engine stand

Will a generic engine stand work for a stovebolt or do I need a special one? A friend says they're made for v's and will tip or break.

A good four wheel stang will be just fine. Three legged stands are dangerous with any type of engine.

Harbor Freight sells a nice cheap heavy four wheeler.

Joe

Don't go to the expense of buying one unless you will be using for several engines on a regular basis. I bought one from Northern Tool and used it once. Now it just takes up space in the garage. I wish I had rented instead.

I bought a cheap 3 legger when i was like 20 ..and used it allot back then ..when i started my 52 project I welded on a set of outriggers and a set of wheels an beefed it up just a bit with a welded in strut ..it still comes apart in a few minutes an stores easily over head in the shop when not needed.
But nice to have on hand when a project comes along ..ya know they hold a tranny nice also.

Go with the 4 wheel - if you are buying. Once I bought mine, I never used the 3 wheel again ( Gave it way ).

A shopping cart makes a nice stand,cut down.the price is right

I have used a heavy duty 3 legged stand for a large variety of engines for decades now and never found it dangerous or unstable. It has the advantage of not tripping over the legs as you work on the engine. Personally, I would never switch to a 4 legged one. My engines spend a lot of time on the stand for cleaning, disassembly, running all the threads, cleaning oil and water passages prior to hot tanking, etc. Then again during assembly and painting. For me, rental charges would exceed purchase price. If you only need it once buy it and resell it. I think a bigger issue than 3 or 4 legs is the quality and strength of the mounts and how the mount is secured to the rest of the stand. The ability to easily rotate the engine is an important feature. 6 (or 8) cylinder in-line engines put more stress on this part than a similar weight V8. Its all about leverage.

Chuck

I have two of the 4 legged ones from O'Reilly. I gave $50 for each. I use them for everything. I put stuff on them to clean or fix or hold. They come in handy and have earned their keep.

I also built a wooden engine craddle from plans available here on the Bolt. Nice. But the roller wheels cost more than what I paid for the engine stands from O'Reilly. And the engine stands roll around much nicer. Go figure

Oh. The engine stands that I have work fine with the 216 or 235 engines. I have used the stands to support both to take the engines apart, clean, and assemble. I spin the engines over to get to the undersides with no problems. It won't tip over.

I hope this helps.

I build mine and build them heavy, 3X3 1/4" wall tubing,4 larger casters with brakes (first one didn't have them and chased it all over the place). The front legs are spaced wide enough for a 1/2 baker's sheet, great for oil and parts when disassembling. Welded angle iron on the vertical post drilled for various bolts used to mount different engines, you know the ones you can never find. but like all stands it sits in the corner or tucked under shelving out of the way.

I've had a 305 Chevy and a 302 Ford on their lids with a 3 wheel stand. Go 4 wheel! I took a 3 wheel stand and bolted angle iron where the front wheel should be and added 2 wheels to it. It's much, much better than the 3 wheeled version. I even welded and extra flange on the upright for stability. It handles the brute of the stovebolt with no problem now. Hopefully this one never ends up on it's lid.