The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Engine Cradle?

Hey Guys, trying to figure out if anyone has used any of the metal engine cradles offered for sale on the net? If so, which one(s) worked for your stovebolt? I have already made and used the wooden cradle, but want something stronger.

Looks like about nine zillion of them are out there and for just a couple of bucks. Sure wouldn't be to difficult to whip one up with some casters from HF or the farm store. Bout all they are good for as they are designed is storing and sliding the engine out of the way. I've got a couple of engines here on HF furnature dollies that take up to much realestate and I've been thinking of going verticle to save space.

Speaking of Engine cradles, back in the day, GM service shops used an engine cradle for major engine work that rotated so you could work on the bottom end or thru the top. I believe this was before engine stands as we know them came on the scene.
Wondering if anyone would have a picture of one of those. The service manuals show engines in them but show very little of the cradle. I'm courious as to how they designed the rotation in them.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I have a 1960 283 Corvette Fuelie Motor that is new in the crate, and it has a stand with it, that would let you rotate the motor. There is no way of locking it, but it will spin 360 Deg. The stand will not fit into the crate, but the man I bought it from back in 76, said that the stand come with it from the factory. I have never seen another one. Usually the factory pictures show the engines on what they called "mules", which resembles the HF type of cradle.

Could you Post a picture of that stand please?
Denny G

Denny:

I have some pics, but I don't know how to get them to you. I sent you a PM.

And back at cha.
DG

Randy Sent me some pictures of an engine cradle with a SBC mounted in it. It appears to be a homemade unit but may be similar to the ones that were used in the dealerships before the modern day engine stands came about.
I've posted one of the pictures of it for him in my album:
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/131709934
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Guys, my original question was about a proper engine cradle that worked for the 235. Seems that the chatter got off track. Still wondering if anyone has used a cradle that is available to the general public and been happy with it?

Cosmo and I made one for his recent 261 purchase, used some scrap steel I had and an hour or so figuring and welding, turned out really nice. And works with most any GM front mount engine that also has a bellhousing on it. And takes up hardly any space when not in use.

Let's see if he can post a picture.

Otherwise, I've made a few of these stands for my Detroits, you may learn something from them in designing your own stand. They can be disassembled for storage and transport, adjust length for 3 or 4 cylinder engines, and fit most all available front mounts.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2575188870080251109INLUZW
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2517430260080251109TFHOvr

Grigg

Denny, this is what was in the GMC maintenance manual. I wouldn't recommend anyone trying to build one.
http://picasaweb.google.com/crenwel...Gv1sRgCNP4zI2sxfDkSg#5560993154947888930

Ted W, getting back to your original question, most of the cheap ones are made for v8 engines and need modification to hold an inline. There is a guy on eBay who sells an adjustable one that will work with an inline 6. He sells under the name of grumpieoldman.

Ted W,
I bought a cheapo engine stand for my 235 and I would not recommend it at all. Once mounted, the block is so long, the engine would bounce when you touched it. There was only one bolt holding the mount to the base. I donated it to the local community college and they said they would weld some supports to it, before using it.

A friend, who used to be an engineer at the GM Desert Proving Grounds in Mesa, AZ, purchased an engine stand from them when they closed down the site a couple years ago. He lent it to me for my COE project. It is quite a beast, with a head that you crank to rotate the engine. Made it quite enjoyable to work on the bottom end with the engine upside down! It has a an old GMC script label, probably pre-war (as in WWII). My shop is up north in the mountains and I will be there early next week. I don't have a photo site but I could PM Denny some pics and he could make them available, if he would oblige.

Kent

Here is the engine stand I use.
http://www.harborfreight.com/2000-l...;utm_source=googlebase&hft_adv=15000
If you are talking about an engine dolly, they can be bought or made easy enough. Here are some examples;
http://www.eastwood.com/underhood-engine/engine-dollies.html

Are you saying you are able to use the Harbor Freight stand with your 235 c.i.? Any modifications necessary? I don't have a welder. Thanks, Ted

Everyone, thanks so much for your comments and help. Keep them coming. Sounds like Builder, "Extreme Gabster", may have the right engine stand. Waiting for his answer.

This stand should work just fine for you. I have used it for chevy small blocks, Oldsmobile rockets, Studebaker big sixes, and 235. The mount arms are adjustable to fit your bolt patterns. I find it quite sturdy and would not hesitate to get another if I needed one.

Builder, thanks so much. Looks like my hunt is over.

Ted
Just for fun, here are a couple pictures of the GMC stand I mentioned earlier in this thread.

http://s1116.photobucket.com/albums/k576/1950Cabover/

You will note the substantial construction and the geared head that you crank to turn the motor over. It has a removable drip pan also.

Kent