The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop The right engine stand???

I'm looking for an engine stand that will support both a 350 with all its parts and a 700r4 tranny. Anyone know what all this weighs?

I cannot remember exactly but the engine is around 650 so add another 100 for the tranny. So, 750 would be a good guess....but why guess, someone will be here shortly with what the book says!!

Engine stands typically use the bell housing mounting bolts to secure the engine or the trans to the stand. Unless you are thinking of a different type of stand than the typical you may have a hard time finding what you seek. If you are looking for a regular style stand you can work on either and engine or a trans, not at the same time, you can get one at most auto parts stores for about 30 dollar. Be sure to get one with four wheels and STAY AWAY from the one with only three wheels. They are unstable.

Small block chevy is 550 lbs
Big block chevy is 635 lbs
Mopar Hemi is 690 lbs
Pontiac 350/400 is 600 lbs
Buick 350 is 450 lbs
Who care what fords weight?

Just a word of caution. My father in-law bought a stand that was rated for 1250 lbs, or so it said. It came assembled from the store and the idiot that built it left out a bolt. We didnt see it until it collapsed and fell over. luckily the hoist was still attached. I would definately make sure that it is bolted together well before you use it. To me it didnt seem as strong as some others. I think it was cheaply built and overpriced.

Go to Northern Tools and Harbor Freight websites and look at their engine stands. There are four wheel models that are unstable and four wheel models that are much more stable.

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=engine+stand&Submit=Go

For safe, general-purpose use, I think that the Harbor Freight 2,000 lb-style model is safe and worth the extra $ over the 750 lb model (it might still be on sale in their retail stores). Similar leg/wheel designs are available at other vendors.

AS Houston54 stated above, the 4-wheel 1,000 design is much better than the 3-wheel 750 lb design.

Tim

For a 350 with the 700R4 trans, I would use two wooden crates that you can pick up for free at your GM dealer.These are the kind that a "crate motor" is shipped on.I have put some cheap casters on them to roll the engine around the shop.I have a Blue Point(Snap On) brand engine stand that I also use.
When I built aircraft engines, we used a pipe in the floor with a flange to bolt the crankshaft to(prop end down).You would build the engines from the crank out then level them off when you were done.

I went the Harbour Freight/Northern/Jegs route in search of a sturdy stand that would let me safely cradle my extra 620 pound 235. Closest I came, was one for $279.00 plus shipping. Too much!!

So off to the metal shop...12' of 2" square tubing, 4 steel casters from Tractor Supply, a couple hours with chop saw and stick welder. The result...I have a custom stand that uses the front and bellhousing rubber mounts and I can crank the engine up periodically, move it easily around the shop and have less than $75.00 bucks in the whole thing.

If you have a tape measure, chopsaw, welder and a couple hours of idle time, you can make a custom stand that beats any "universal" stand that may or may not be safe and functional.

I have a couple pix in my "Tips and tricks" album. "Necessity is the Mother of invention"

Dave

harbor frieght has a folding 2000lb engine stand for $99.

I have one of these. It works fine and is very sturdy.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47304

Last week I bought a non-folding 2,000 lb model at Harbor Freight for $89.00 (on sale).

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=4420

Builder, I just bought one like yours for 99.00 + 7.00 freight. I will probably build one like Fla54Chevy3100 built but out of 2 X 4s instead of metal. I don't weld as well as him. He must have taught welding from the looks of his work.

"Necessity is the Mother of invention"
Or is it "Necessity to invent is a mother" :p
Speed

The shop manual for my '48 says to mount the engine on the stand with the tranny attached. What kind of stand did they use?

I have the 1250 lb. stand with the U-shaped base and really like it. It's now holding three old outboards.
Engine Stand w/Mercs

And what did I do wrong with my signature????

Wally - LINK needs to be changed to URL both places and it will work :hammering:

Bill

Thanks, Bill.