What's new in engine stands?

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dibbons

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Haven't purchased an engine stand in decades, please don't tell me they are all made in chine of inferior materials and workmanship now. What design or brand is befitting of a Mopar? Tnank you.
 
Another vote for "build it yourself". You can make it big, heavy duty and high enough to work and not kill your back. Use the Asian store bought ones to hold your differential for rebuilds. Just make sure those have four wheels or they are prone to tip.

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I bought one from harbor freight and went the other direction and sectioned out about 10" so with an engine attached it slides under the workbench for storage. I also use it in the back of my truck to transport engines. It gets the weight down low so you don't have to worry about it flopping over. The other nice thing about it is you can leave the part that bolts to the motor attached to the block and move it to a regular height stand to work on the engine.
 
I have the HF "stage 2" with the 2 casters and 2 axle wheels. Its a step up from the tricycle style that is prone to tip if your trying to break a bolt. And they sell those universal plastic trays that fit on the bottom to catch that filth when you drop the pan or turn it over. My old mechanic buddy had a huge one that had a V12 Lincoln motor on it. It had a crank like the German one. It looked like it could hold a Merlin. Seems the week point of any universal engine stand is the akward 4 bolt yoke that attaches to the engine. sometimes you get really goofy setups with the spaced 'legs', most of the time its way off balance. The height makes it possible to roll it over to the truck bed, pull the pin and push the engine and yoke off the stand. Take the stand and throw it in the bed. You can unload it the same way. Rusty, watch those front casters. I had one bust on my same design cherry picker pulling a Ford Diesel motor, yeah it was heavy but was still under the 1000 lb rating of the boom. It popped right off somehow and sent the picker into a near death swing.
 
This is nuts, I was about to ask if anyone had issues with their HF stands because, mine is garbage. I will however take grimreapers design and fab a new holding plate. That looks awesome!!
 
HF "heavy duty" with four wheels and braces is pretty decent.

Made like an engine hoist on the bottom.
 
I got this one awhile back and my Hemi has been hangin on it for a couple of years now. I honestly think it will hold up one ton, like it says. Yeah, it's made in China, but so far so good.

2000 lbs. Capacity Foldable Engine Stand
That's a steal,for a buck forty,RRR... American steel at a scrap yard,is more than that ...(and a shame..) My first 50 dollar H.B.engine stand,20 years ago: No reinforcement,garbage casters... Slapped a solid '70 Chevy 010/020 long block on it. The damn thing,bent faster,than I could tear it apart(with air tools!?!??) ...Two hours into disassemble,the engine block was at a 45 degree angle... ...
 
Here's the ad pic, then my 318 on it.

I know it's a small block, but it barely moved when the weight transferred.

I have a5.9 on one of the "regular" three wheel stands and I thought it was going to snap when I let the hoist down and the weight transferred. Must have bent down six inches.

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Better pic.

You can see that the center line of the engine is still angled up rather than down.

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I got mine bundled with that electric/hydraulic engine hoist for $75 off CL.

was missing the pins for the legs and the handle to rotate the mount.

I put in bolts and I'm using a bent Mopar strut rod for a handle.

Pulling the pins/bolts allows it to store semi-folded and take less space- kinda slick.

Should be on the HF gems and junk thread. +1
 
On my hf 4 caster setup, I still got an old scissor jack under the pan to keep the motor level. Just makes me feel better seeing it stored on an even keel. Someone one day is going to make custom yokes for specific blocks. Chevrolet SB, BB, Mopar LA and B/RB-hemi, and Ford ( whatever they run, SB,385,BB...) none if this universally bad mounting flabby yoke garbage. I think most have the same yoke diameter.
 
On my hf 4 caster setup, I still got an old scissor jack under the pan to keep the motor level. Just makes me feel better seeing it stored on an even keel. Someone one day is going to make custom yokes for specific blocks. Chevrolet SB, BB, Mopar LA and B/RB-hemi, and Ford ( whatever they run, SB,385,BB...) none if this universally bad mounting flabby yoke garbage. I think most have the same yoke diameter.
This is the stand that I have. you can install cams vertically. I dont see them being available any more. I think its a great design and it is strong. It's called All Point Motor Stand. Not my pic.

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wow, that's crazy! My 312 had to install the cam with the block upside down as it used mushroom lifters.
 
I bought a heavy duty Cornwell at a pawn shop for $50.00. I have found some great deals at the pawn shop, especially if they have had the item for a long time.
 
I have an old Lakewood 3 wheeled engine stand. After rolling the loaded stand on the cement garage floor and having the front wheel catching in a control joint, the 340 engine (empty block at the time) crashed to the cement. I fab'ed the unit to have 4 wheels and longer to securely hold 6 cylinder engines. Nice and sturdy now.
 
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