Engine Stand Rehab

[Tom R.]

I thought I was doing pretty good when I picked up a used engine stand for $20 at a local swap meet. My plan was to bead blast, paint and replace the wheels which were beat to hell and the swivel wheel with brake that was gummed up and not operating. Finding correct replacement wheels has been a challenge due to weight requirements. This is a three point stand and I learned later that they've been replaced by four point stands to avoid tilting.

Yesterday, I went to Grainger Supply and they tracked down a 3" wheel designed to support some 310 pounds (and brake kit). I managed to pick up two casters from a furniture dolly designed to support a 1,000 pound piece of furniture...or so it says. So I think I'm good to support some 800 pounds of weight and I'm guessing a small block (1978) engine is about 800 pounds.

I'm realizing at this point, I could have bought the engine stand new for what I have into with paint but what does the typical smallblock weigh and am I missing anything here in my calculations? Thanks

[Richard M.]

Re: Engine Stand Rehab

Tom,

I think you're better off with a good quality 4-wheel stand. Just make sure the front axle frame is short enough for your engine hoist legs to fit around. The one pictured was my original one......The hoist fit around it fine. BTW I always use a extra block up front for insurance too.

I gave that away when I moved to FL(too much stuff), and got a new one down here. I should have kept my old one.......The front axle frame on the new one is longer, I thought better.

Now my engine hoist front legs do not fit around the front axle on the new one. I have to jockey it around by lifting the entire engine and stand assembly, then carefully unbolt the stand bracket from the block with assistance of a helper.

Rich

[Chuck S.]

Re: Engine Stand Rehab

If you're making it pretty so you can store an engine on it, I personally wouldn't use an engine stand for long term storage. Get a purpose built steel dolly stand that supports the assembled engine at the four corners, front and rear.

If you notice Rich's picture, he has added a timber front support to relieve some of the cantilevered load of a fully dressed engine, which would otherwise be completely reacted by typically four tapped holes into the rear of a cast iron, or in Rich's case, alloy block. A temporary front support will work, but it needs to be well-fitted and remain in position to accomplish it's objective.

Engine stands were never intended for long term storage of fully dressed engines, only for convenient waist high assembly, and then only very short term storage until the engine is installed in a vehicle. JMHO.

[Paul J.]

Re: Engine Stand Rehab

Tom:

You could have gotten your wheels from Harbor Freight, which would have saved you some money. I think that you're being a little cautious with your calculations for a small block, but that's OK it does'nt hurt to build in a safety factor. Here is a picture of my engine stand from Harbor Freight that I bought many years ago (I paid around $35 for it, but I'm sure they cost more now). It's rated at 1000# and it's pretty stout. I've used it many times and it does the job well. However, I use it as Chuck stated and only have a fully dressed engine on it for a few hours at most.

Paul

[Dan D.]

Re: Engine Stand Rehab

I bought mine from HF 2 years ago for $50 (looks the same as Paul's), and a 1/2 ton engine hoist for $125. Thought that was very cheap for what it is. I think a loaded SBC weighs in at about 450 lbs. -Dan-

[Dick W.]

Re: Engine Stand Rehab

Tom,

I think you're better off with a good quality 4-wheel stand. Just make sure the front axle frame is short enough for your engine hoist legs to fit around. The one pictured was my original one......The hoist fit around it fine. BTW I always use a extra block up front for insurance too.

I gave that away when I moved to FL(too much stuff), and got a new one down here. I should have kept my old one.......The front axle frame on the new one is longer, I thought better.

Now my engine hoist front legs do not fit around the front axle on the new one. I have to jockey it around by lifting the entire engine and stand assembly, then carefully unbolt the stand bracket from the block with assistance of a helper.

Rich

Hmmm. Unique looking small block there Got about 4 too many cylinders

[Tom R.]

Re: Engine Stand Rehab

Tom:

You could have gotten your wheels from Harbor Freight, which would have saved you some money. I think that you're being a little cautious with your calculations for a small block, but that's OK it does'nt hurt to build in a safety factor. Here is a picture of my engine stand from Harbor Freight that I bought many years ago (I paid around $35 for it, but I'm sure they cost more now). It's rated at 1000# and it's pretty stout. I've used it many times and it does the job well. However, I use it as Chuck stated and only have a fully dressed engine on it for a few hours at most.

Paul

Mine is nearly identical except color and front two wheel bar.

[Richard M.]

Re: Engine Stand Rehab

Sorry Dick.....it was the only picture of my engine stand. Actually the v12 was my second ever rebuild. 1st one was my 283 in my '59 15 years ago, and then that one about 10 years ago. It was interesting.

[Dick W.]

Re: Engine Stand Rehab

Sorry Dick.....it was the only picture of my engine stand. Actually the v12 was my second ever rebuild. 1st one was my 283 in my '59 15 years ago, and then that one about 10 years ago. It was interesting.

Tryin' to figure out what it is, looks a little large for a prancin' pony. Never mind, it is one of those funny Brit engines. Leaks oil from everywhere, just change the filter and add oil as needed. My father had one and begged me to change the rear main oil seal, dealer wanted $1,200 (1988) to change, offered me $1,500 to do it and I laughed at him.

[Richard M.]

Re: Engine Stand Rehab

Tryin' to figure out what it is, looks a little large for a prancin' pony. Never mind, it is one of those funny Brit engines. Leaks oil from everywhere, just change the filter and add oil as needed. My father had one and begged me to change the rear main oil seal, dealer wanted $1,200 (1988) to change, offered me $1,500 to do it and I laughed at him.

Funny you should mention.....that's exactly what I have to do now 10 yrs later, rear main and "hockey stick" seals....Arghhh! If they don't leak oil, that means there is no oil in it! Actually it's been dripping the last 5 years, got really bad after the 250 roundtrip to Sebring for the Historic Races a few weeks ago.

I like Chevy engines much better!

Back to engine stands.....A fault of my new one that I got from Northern Tool......It's turn handle pipe mounting holes are horizontal. Should have been vertical so it stores up & down. You can't store it without walking into it....It can rally hurt and get you where the sun don't shine!

[Dick W.]

Re: Engine Stand Rehab

Funny you should mention.....that's exactly what I have to do now 10 yrs later, rear main and "hockey stick" seals....Arghhh! If they don't leak oil, that means there is no oil in it! Actually it's been dripping the last 5 years, got really bad after the 250 roundtrip to Sebring for the Historic Races a few weeks ago.

The original owner of the car that my father had, only put 14k on it, had detailed maintenance records, down to the gasoline purchases. The maintenance cost, excluding gas, was over $1.00 a mile, 1980's. Was no better when my father had it.

[Cecil L.]

Re: Engine Stand Rehab

That's not an oil dripping engine......

This is an oil dripping engine!

[Chuck S.]

Re: Engine Stand Rehab

Too cool...Is that an old Korean war era intermediate trainer?

(Edit: I love the internet...T28, the replacement for the T6/SNJ6; http://www.warbirdalley.com/t28.htm )


And, we think finding parts for old Corvettes is tough.

[Cecil L.]

Re: Engine Stand Rehab

Too cool...is that an old Korean war era intermediate trainer?

And, we think finding parts for old Corvettes is tough.

1955 North American T-28B...AKA a hole in the air that you throw money into.

[Richard M.]

Re: Engine Stand Rehab

Wow....I'd like to see the ENGINE STAND for that one!!!!