Harbor Freight engine stand modification
I've encountered a problem on the Harbor Freight engine stands. The holes on the arms that mount to your engine block are 16mm (~5/8") in diameter, while the bolts are 3/8" (~9.5mm).
I understand that they likely make the sleeves larger than most bolts in order to make them compatible to a wider variety of engine blocks, but to me, the difference is far too big to be safe. In fact, I've had a bolt snap in the past from the excessive sheer force from not being supported evenly along the shank. This was a grade 5 bolt that broke. I do expect to hear some advice and/or criticism here, saying that I've been doing it wrong or maybe some suggestions for different ways to do it, and that's okay. But here's what I did to fill the gap.
I found a 3/8" ID x 2" bushing and a larger bushing that the 3/8" would fit into snugly. I also made sure the larger bushing would be a nice press fit into the sleeve of the bracket.
Pressed in with a vise or shop press. A C-clamp would also work, or you can get creative.
Here you can see the bolt inserted, with support from the bushings all the way around. With the engine mounted on the stand, it feels much more stable.
Now again, this is just something I did that I thought would support the bolts better. If there's something I've been missing or doing wrong before, criticism is certainly welcome.
I've encountered a problem on the Harbor Freight engine stands. The holes on the arms that mount to your engine block are 16mm (~5/8") in diameter, while the bolts are 3/8" (~9.5mm).
I understand that they likely make the sleeves larger than most bolts in order to make them compatible to a wider variety of engine blocks, but to me, the difference is far too big to be safe. In fact, I've had a bolt snap in the past from the excessive sheer force from not being supported evenly along the shank. This was a grade 5 bolt that broke. I do expect to hear some advice and/or criticism here, saying that I've been doing it wrong or maybe some suggestions for different ways to do it, and that's okay. But here's what I did to fill the gap.
I found a 3/8" ID x 2" bushing and a larger bushing that the 3/8" would fit into snugly. I also made sure the larger bushing would be a nice press fit into the sleeve of the bracket.
Pressed in with a vise or shop press. A C-clamp would also work, or you can get creative.
Here you can see the bolt inserted, with support from the bushings all the way around. With the engine mounted on the stand, it feels much more stable.
Now again, this is just something I did that I thought would support the bolts better. If there's something I've been missing or doing wrong before, criticism is certainly welcome.
