The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop wooden engine frame.

I'll be taking the engine and tranny off soon so the frame can get sandblasted. I'd like to make a wooden frame for the engine to sit on temporarily. Has anyone made one before? If so, any plans, measurements, templates...etc? It's for a 235 with a SM420 tranny. I'd like to keep them bolted together on the wood frame if possible.

Thanks in advance!

You should be able to remove the sheet metal cover over the flywheel. then set the whole thing on wood blocks right there, it's wide and flat so it sits pretty stable. Also place a block under the front motor mount. Not easy to move like that, but will keep it upright and not damage the oil pan.

Grigg

Ron, What I did was use a 4x4 cut 2ft. in length
across the front of the engine and used lag screws to bolt the plate down. Mine just sat on my garage floor making sure it was out of the way. My 216 with bell housing and trans attached however,is riding in a large garden wagon I bought from Lowe's for $75.It has inflateable tires and removable or fold down sides. It's very sturdy and because of the larger tires can be pulled across hard or soft surfaces. It tows with my lawn tractor too. Well worth the money.

I made a wooden dolly that was a perfect fit for the inside leg diameter of my engine hoist. The height is just slightly higher for clearance incase something is wider. I made this to be multifuntional and not just for engines. On the side I put some I-bolts that would allow me to secure the engine. It is plenty strong enough to run the engine on it or use it to sit something heavy on using the hoist. Sorry I don't have a picture of it maybe i'll take one this week.

Dana

WOW! All great ideas...I was thinking maybe putting heavy-duty casters on the bottoms as well. Anyone know what the combined weight would be for the engine and tranny? I used 4" casters for the cab dolly I built and it holds great. Engine and tranny weight -vs- cab weight I'm thinkin should be close to the same.

Ron,
I putzed around and made one a few years ago out of 2" square stock. Never got around to putting the tranny mounts on eventhough I made them up. Pics below.
Dan
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1512705220071274430hzqWNh

quick easy and too simple...but plenty of times ive set an engine on a spare tire and wheel... dont work too bad...used to haul them in the back of a pickup that way too... or just a couple of old tires works also.

sm 420 weight is 135 lbs.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/sm420.htm

weight of 235 is 630 lbs.

http://performanceunlimited.com/documents/engineweights.html

I use a pair of 4x6's as well. I even started my 302 up when it was sitting on them. I got it home by nailing the whole thing to the wood bed of my trailer.

I got an old pallet from the lumber yard, reinforced the deck with OSB, and mounted the engine/transmission level with various blocks. I then lagged bolted it down and wrapped a chain around it to make sure it stays. The best thing is I can use my tractor with some rear forks to move it around.

I have used the wooden crate(modified to fit)that a "crate motor " comes on.You can find them behind most Chevy Dealers in a heap.Just ask the Servive Department if you can have one or two.When you are done they make good firewood.

i just set mine on a piece of cardboard, propped a couple of boards under the motor mounts to keep it from falling over if someone was to yank on it.

I used four jack stands, one at each corner of the engine on the oil pan flange. Can use some folded cardboard or a couple wood srips to avoid bending the pan lip.
It sat nice and stable for quite some time that way. Altho, since it was in an area it might get bumped I left the hoist hooked up with the slack out of the chain.

What gtow69 said,
Any dealer is usually glad to get rid of them,Especially after The Town/Authorities come down on them to clean up their act.
Regards......