Engine stand ideas wanted
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
Engine stand ideas wanted
I am looking to buy or build engine stands for a few engines I have in my garage. I have a couple of the stands that are tall and bolt to the rear of the engine and they are good when I am working on it but not good for storage as they are too high and unstable to move around much. I also have one of the low stands that cradles the engine at the engine mounts and I like it but all that I find to buy are not made very well.
So does anyone know who sells a quality low stand that is on casters or has anyone made their own? I have two engines that are on original GM crates and thought of putting castors under the crate but they are all boxed up and I would rather have them open.
So does anyone know who sells a quality low stand that is on casters or has anyone made their own? I have two engines that are on original GM crates and thought of putting castors under the crate but they are all boxed up and I would rather have them open.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
I came across these the other day. Not sure about quality, but can't beat it for the price ($33). Probably couldn't even build one for that.
Get one, see how it is, and if need be step up to the more expensive one.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...engine-cradles
***Actually, just looking at them more closely, the quality is the same (weigh limit, gauge of steel, caster size). The only difference I can see is the style of mounts.
Get one, see how it is, and if need be step up to the more expensive one.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...engine-cradles
***Actually, just looking at them more closely, the quality is the same (weigh limit, gauge of steel, caster size). The only difference I can see is the style of mounts.
Last edited by Ibanez540r; Dec 11, 2012 at 10:14 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I bought this one at Northern Tool for $44 and had it modified to bolt to the rear of the heads...allowing the bellhousing and tranny to be mounted. It rolls around on wheels real well and is actually balanced.
Tried selling it on CF for $100 but nobody was interested. Ended up trading it for parts.
Tried selling it on CF for $100 but nobody was interested. Ended up trading it for parts.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Lubbock TX
I have the summit one. It works, so I would say that it is good. But the finish is pretty rough. It needs a little massaging to get the bolt holes to line up correctly. The wheels are fairly heavy duty...enough that I can roll it off the little ledge in my garage without a problem.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
smon which one did you buy from Summit?
Looks like the $70 one has a different mount, as Ibanez pointed out, and it is made in the USA. I am all about buying things made here but I also expect it to be made better.
Looks like the $70 one has a different mount, as Ibanez pointed out, and it is made in the USA. I am all about buying things made here but I also expect it to be made better.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
I made some that bolt up to the motor mount area and have casters to roll around. I've made about 4 sets and have a couple tuned port engines set up with them now. I can't get pictures right now
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,590
Likes: 830
From: PA
I bought this one at Northern Tool for $44 and had it modified to bolt to the rear of the heads...allowing the bellhousing and tranny to be mounted. It rolls around on wheels real well and is actually balanced.
Tried selling it on CF for $100 but nobody was interested. Ended up trading it for parts.
Tried selling it on CF for $100 but nobody was interested. Ended up trading it for parts.
I missed that... I would have taken it off of your hands.
Just what I need. I'm going to have to borrow that idea.
Regards,
Stan Falenski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,033
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
Jegs.com, has a different engine stand, #550-1020. I made one like it and added a front and rear angle piece to make it sturdier. I did not need the transmission attached to the engine. Lou.
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
I built this test stand with some scrap square tube I had laying around. But Faster Rat.... I LIKE the one you show in the pic, and I just may try to weld one up like it. Where does it bolt to on the front side?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The front supports bolt to the motor mount holes. The rear supports were cut at an angle and welded slightly outboard. A gusset was added for stiffening. This was the big block cradle from Northern. I'm sure the small block cradle from any of the vendors could be modified in a similar way. Heck, even add heavier duty casters if you don't like the ones they come with.
This made it really easy to mount the flywheel and clutch, center the bellhousing and bolt/torque the transmission. Sure beats doing all this underneath the car.
This made it really easy to mount the flywheel and clutch, center the bellhousing and bolt/torque the transmission. Sure beats doing all this underneath the car.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,590
Likes: 830
From: PA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Had an extra engine, and access to heavy agle iron, so welded one up, and put on some large castors. Mine only had center uprights, that bolted to the motor mounts. Wasn't a thing of beauty, as didn't even paint it. Had Home Depot rip a 4x8' plywood in half, so I could roll it accross the lawn, to the rear storage shed. Pulled the carb, and put a piece of wood on It for a storage shelf. I'd take some pictures, but gave it to the guy who bought the engine.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Lubbock TX
I bought the $30 one. I probably should have clarified that I put the stand together first and then dropped the engine on (by hand...which is another story). If you have it on a hoist, it would probably fit better by bolting it up the engine first.