Engine Stand Recommendations?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Huskerboy2 · 09-19-2004, 01:05 AM

I'm thinking about buying an engine stand. When it comes time pull my 350, I thought that I would just rent an engine hoist and buy a stand. My engine runs perfect and it's my plan to just put a seal kit in it. Any recommendations on stands or where to buy them. The price range seems to be pretty wide. I'm leary of the really cheap priced ones. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Also, what does everybody do for a transmission stand. I've seen the adapters for floor jacks, transmission dollys, etc. Again, wide price range and the really cheap ones scare me.

chickenwing · 09-19-2004, 01:24 AM

I borrowed my buddies stand. I didn't like it at first, till I rolled it around. His has nice non-marring wheels. My stand has steel wheels and it digs the epoxy coating off my floor. Turns out he got it at a swap meet. So, no leads where to find similar.

Brainchild · 09-19-2004, 02:08 AM

one with 4 wheels,the ones with the three wheels like to tip over.I still have a tripod

I'll not buy another one though.

I also bought a transmission jack,worth every penny.I work on the farm trucks though,and I am always changing a clutch,ot transfer case,so that off set the expense.

Blue Beard · 09-19-2004, 09:12 AM

Mine is a three wheel heavy duty unit.

Bought the cherry picker and received it free, many a year ago.

Both unit come apart for storage. No longer made by the company.

Thought about drawing plans up for both units.

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 09-19-2004, 09:23 AM

I got my lakewood engine (3 wheeled kind) from the local part's store and welded up my own tranny adapter so that I can have a tranny stand or a engine stand...

LUV2XCLR8 · 09-19-2004, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brainchild

one with 4 wheels,the ones with the three wheels like to tip over.I still have a tripod

I'll not buy another one though.

I also bought a transmission jack,worth every penny.I work on the farm trucks though,and I am always changing a clutch,ot transfer case,so that off set the expense.

I GOT MY 4 WHEELER FROM JEGS OR SUMMIT, CAN'T REMEMBER EXACTLY, IT
IS SO STURDY THAT I PUSHED IT ACROSS THE LAWN WITH A MOTOR ON IT.

Mike C · 09-19-2004, 10:15 AM

The Sam's near me has a nice 4 wheel stand branded Goodyear. They are folding and rated 1000#. $60. The only problem is the front 4 wheels are so wide, they won't go between my hoist legs far enough to be able to bolt the motor to it! I'm going to whack ~3" off either side. A design flaw, but I would buy another one still. Nice stand for the money for sure. If you are going to use a chain hoist, then it's a moot point, but definitely something to consider if you are using a cherry picker. My next stand will be the 2000# rated Harbor Freight folding stand, and I am going to modify the head with ball bearings to make it easier to spin the motor over, and possibly a geared crank.

Longhorn Man · 09-19-2004, 05:10 PM

Now for the review on the cheap stands...
I bought one back in 97 or so for something like 20 or 30 bucks at auto zone or some other crappy parts house. It is a 3 legged deal, pretty low to the ground, and have never had a single problem with it.
It is a bit of a pain to roll around loaded, and rotating the engine is a bit of a pain, however, if you are going to use it once and then store it for 10 years, or if it is just something to store a spare motor that won't be used for a while, then there is no reason to spend the extra cash IMO.
Mine sat with a 400 small block on it for at least 12 months, then a 350 small block for about the same, a caddy 425 for about a year...maybe a little less, and now it's had a turbocharged Pontiac 301 on it for the past couple months. Here soon, it'll have my 350 with the capachino looking oil in the pan, and it'll probably hold it for a year or so untill i sell it or scrap it.
It has well paid it's self off, and since I don't do a whole lot of work to the engines while they are on it, it serves fine.
Almost forgot, I had a 402 block, crank, and heads...with the pistons, rods, torque converter from a TH400 extra fly wheel and some other assorted crap stacked on top of it for about 4 or 5 months in the basement. I'll tell you what, if there is any way you can avoid taking a big block into the basement....do it. Even a bare block was a pain in the back to take out of there.

Brainchild · 09-19-2004, 06:15 PM

Heres the lowdown on my stand.It's a $25 junker from some carshow scam,but I needed one.It did pretty good till the 460 was dropped from the chainfalls,and the engine kept going and going and going,till the crank was touching the floor,and it was still boted to the stand,and the stand was standing upright

The post in the back was @ 45 degrees,that motorscooter was heavy

So I slid the engine out of the stand,straightened the thing back out,and then welded a support bar out of a camaro (the ones in the front under the hood that cover the battery) form the post to the bottom leg.Rewelded all the joints,and it'll hold a elephant now,if you can get him bolted up.

It's still hard to roll around,and likes to tip when your spinning the engine around,but it is strong now

71swb4x4 · 09-19-2004, 08:16 PM

I would also recomend a 4 wheeler. I have a 3 wheeler and it tipped over once. Bent my alternator bracket but that's it. I was lucky, could have been a body part instead.

gonebad2 · 09-19-2004, 08:48 PM

I got very lucky and got a Snap On engine stand. It was listed in a want ad in the paper for $60. I don't use it much but it sure is nice when I need it.

724wdcopper · 09-21-2004, 06:52 AM

i've got a picture somewhere of an old 250 6 cyl lying on the ground still bolted to the cheap harbor freight 3 wheeled stand. not cool. i will see if i can round it up and scan it to share. it was pretty funny, until my dad saw the chip out of the concrete floor in his shop from the crank pulley. also, when i first bolted the engine up, it tilted up just a little bit, but slowly and surely, the front of the engine was soon looking slightly at the ground. maybe it was anticipating the fall and trying to find a soft spot!

if you only need to use it once, get a cheapie. if you plan to do more than one, spend more than $39.95!

Joe67 · 09-21-2004, 11:28 AM

I agree - a $30 engine stand works perfect

Tx Firefighter · 09-21-2004, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

I got my lakewood engine (3 wheeled kind) from the local part's store and welded up my own tranny adapter so that I can have a tranny stand or a engine stand...

Why would you need an adapter for a tranny on an engine stand?

I use longer bolts and nuts and bolt the trans straight to my engine stand just like an engine.

junkyardjohn · 09-21-2004, 11:46 PM

I'VE GOT ONE OF THE #2000 STANDS FROM HARBOUR FREIGHT. IT'S WITHOUT A DOUBT THE STRONGEST ENGINE STAND I'VE EVER SEEN. THEY ARE AROUND $100. I'VE HAD SEVERAL FULLY DRESSED BIG BLOCKS ON IT,(ONE AT A TIME THOUGH

) & FELT SAFE ROLLING IT OR TURNING THE ENGINE OVER. I THINK YOU'RE BETTER OFF BUYING A GOOD STURDY STAND & IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO USE IT AGAIN........ SELL IT WHEN YOU'RE DONE.

JOHN

09-19-2004, 01:05 AM	#1
Huskerboy2 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Posts: 1,628	Engine Stand Recommendations?? I'm thinking about buying an engine stand. When it comes time pull my 350, I thought that I would just rent an engine hoist and buy a stand. My engine runs perfect and it's my plan to just put a seal kit in it. Any recommendations on stands or where to buy them. The price range seems to be pretty wide. I'm leary of the really cheap priced ones. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Also, what does everybody do for a transmission stand. I've seen the adapters for floor jacks, transmission dollys, etc. Again, wide price range and the really cheap ones scare me. __________________ '72 Chevy Blazer

09-19-2004, 02:08 AM	#3
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	one with 4 wheels,the ones with the three wheels like to tip over.I still have a tripod I'll not buy another one though. I also bought a transmission jack,worth every penny.I work on the farm trucks though,and I am always changing a clutch,ot transfer case,so that off set the expense. __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

09-19-2004, 09:12 AM	#4
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	Mine is a three wheel heavy duty unit. Bought the cherry picker and received it free, many a year ago. Both unit come apart for storage. No longer made by the company. Thought about drawing plans up for both units. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

09-19-2004, 09:23 AM	#5
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,592	I got my lakewood engine (3 wheeled kind) from the local part's store and welded up my own tranny adapter so that I can have a tranny stand or a engine stand... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

09-19-2004, 10:15 AM	#7
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,715	The Sam's near me has a nice 4 wheel stand branded Goodyear. They are folding and rated 1000#. $60. The only problem is the front 4 wheels are so wide, they won't go between my hoist legs far enough to be able to bolt the motor to it! I'm going to whack ~3" off either side. A design flaw, but I would buy another one still. Nice stand for the money for sure. If you are going to use a chain hoist, then it's a moot point, but definitely something to consider if you are using a cherry picker. My next stand will be the 2000# rated Harbor Freight folding stand, and I am going to modify the head with ball bearings to make it easier to spin the motor over, and possibly a geared crank. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

09-19-2004, 01:24 AM	#2
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	I borrowed my buddies stand. I didn't like it at first, till I rolled it around. His has nice non-marring wheels. My stand has steel wheels and it digs the epoxy coating off my floor. Turns out he got it at a swap meet. So, no leads where to find similar. __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!!

09-19-2004, 05:10 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Now for the review on the cheap stands... I bought one back in 97 or so for something like 20 or 30 bucks at auto zone or some other crappy parts house. It is a 3 legged deal, pretty low to the ground, and have never had a single problem with it. It is a bit of a pain to roll around loaded, and rotating the engine is a bit of a pain, however, if you are going to use it once and then store it for 10 years, or if it is just something to store a spare motor that won't be used for a while, then there is no reason to spend the extra cash IMO. Mine sat with a 400 small block on it for at least 12 months, then a 350 small block for about the same, a caddy 425 for about a year...maybe a little less, and now it's had a turbocharged Pontiac 301 on it for the past couple months. Here soon, it'll have my 350 with the capachino looking oil in the pan, and it'll probably hold it for a year or so untill i sell it or scrap it. It has well paid it's self off, and since I don't do a whole lot of work to the engines while they are on it, it serves fine. Almost forgot, I had a 402 block, crank, and heads...with the pistons, rods, torque converter from a TH400 extra fly wheel and some other assorted crap stacked on top of it for about 4 or 5 months in the basement. I'll tell you what, if there is any way you can avoid taking a big block into the basement....do it. Even a bare block was a pain in the back to take out of there.

09-19-2004, 06:15 PM	#9
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	Heres the lowdown on my stand.It's a $25 junker from some carshow scam,but I needed one.It did pretty good till the 460 was dropped from the chainfalls,and the engine kept going and going and going,till the crank was touching the floor,and it was still boted to the stand,and the stand was standing upright The post in the back was @ 45 degrees,that motorscooter was heavy So I slid the engine out of the stand,straightened the thing back out,and then welded a support bar out of a camaro (the ones in the front under the hood that cover the battery) form the post to the bottom leg.Rewelded all the joints,and it'll hold a elephant now,if you can get him bolted up. It's still hard to roll around,and likes to tip when your spinning the engine around,but it is strong now __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website Last edited by Brainchild; 09-19-2004 at 06:17 PM. Reason: cain't spull gud

09-19-2004, 08:16 PM	#10
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	I would also recomend a 4 wheeler. I have a 3 wheeler and it tipped over once. Bent my alternator bracket but that's it. I was lucky, could have been a body part instead. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

09-19-2004, 08:48 PM	#11
gonebad2 Merciless Butcher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC Nevada Posts: 1,447	I got very lucky and got a Snap On engine stand. It was listed in a want ad in the paper for $60. I don't use it much but it sure is nice when I need it. __________________ Your Bought And Sold....I Got Your Soul!

09-21-2004, 06:52 AM	#12
724wdcopper graphic designer Join Date: May 2004 Location: Spokane, Washington Posts: 841	i've got a picture somewhere of an old 250 6 cyl lying on the ground still bolted to the cheap harbor freight 3 wheeled stand. not cool. i will see if i can round it up and scan it to share. it was pretty funny, until my dad saw the chip out of the concrete floor in his shop from the crank pulley. also, when i first bolted the engine up, it tilted up just a little bit, but slowly and surely, the front of the engine was soon looking slightly at the ground. maybe it was anticipating the fall and trying to find a soft spot! if you only need to use it once, get a cheapie. if you plan to do more than one, spend more than $39.95!

09-21-2004, 11:28 AM	#13
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,738	I agree - a $30 engine stand works perfect __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

09-21-2004, 11:46 PM	#15
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	I'VE GOT ONE OF THE #2000 STANDS FROM HARBOUR FREIGHT. IT'S WITHOUT A DOUBT THE STRONGEST ENGINE STAND I'VE EVER SEEN. THEY ARE AROUND $100. I'VE HAD SEVERAL FULLY DRESSED BIG BLOCKS ON IT,(ONE AT A TIME THOUGH ) & FELT SAFE ROLLING IT OR TURNING THE ENGINE OVER. I THINK YOU'RE BETTER OFF BUYING A GOOD STURDY STAND & IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO USE IT AGAIN........ SELL IT WHEN YOU'RE DONE. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST



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