"WARNING" Check Your Engine Stands
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,449
Likes: 8,245
From: Napa Valley California
"WARNING" Check Your Engine Stands
I was at a friends shop yesterday and they were in a slight panic.
They had a freshly dyno'd big block Chevy motor on one of their engine stands, when the stand failed and the big block hit the shop floor barely missing one of the machinist's foot.
The stand failed with no warning at the weld where the tube is welded to the mounting plate for the engine block.
They were shocked that the tube was not pressed into the mounting plate as their others are, and that it was only welded on.
They've had the stand for only a couple of years and said they could not see any type of crack at the weld because the crack could not be seen through the painted surfaces.
Be careful!!!
They had a freshly dyno'd big block Chevy motor on one of their engine stands, when the stand failed and the big block hit the shop floor barely missing one of the machinist's foot.
The stand failed with no warning at the weld where the tube is welded to the mounting plate for the engine block.
They were shocked that the tube was not pressed into the mounting plate as their others are, and that it was only welded on.
They've had the stand for only a couple of years and said they could not see any type of crack at the weld because the crack could not be seen through the painted surfaces.
Be careful!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 213
From: The Buckle of the Bible Belt. Joplin Mo
One of my biggest fears. Sometimes when I am working on one I will slide a big stump under it to give me peace of mind. Don’t want to even think about what a BB would do to a foot or leg. Thanks for the post.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Ive wondered not saying there's was but with the horror tool fright stuff will we start hearing scary stories,
Their engine cranes seem spooky
A few years ago no fault of the tool i dropped HTFs largest vise on my left foot, it was all nasty, it still hurts and i limp,
I could see an engine taking a foot right off...
Their engine cranes seem spooky
A few years ago no fault of the tool i dropped HTFs largest vise on my left foot, it was all nasty, it still hurts and i limp,
I could see an engine taking a foot right off...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,449
Likes: 8,245
From: Napa Valley California
I just purchased a harbor freight 2 ton engine stand.
Before I use it I plan to check to insure the tube runs through, and is welded to the rear side of the mounting plate.
The shop said they would bore a hole through the mounting plate and run a new piece of tubing through the hole and weld it from both sides if it isn't already that way.
Before I use it I plan to check to insure the tube runs through, and is welded to the rear side of the mounting plate.
The shop said they would bore a hole through the mounting plate and run a new piece of tubing through the hole and weld it from both sides if it isn't already that way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,250
Likes: 221
From: Dryden MI
I see the same issues with jack stands, 10 or 12 gage steel with spot welds holding them together. To think that you are getting under a car with inexpensive jack stands supporting a vehicle scares me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,507
Likes: 1,514
From: Little Rock AR
Me too. Thats why I like to toss a couple of mounted wheel/tires under there when I have it in the air. Always slide the wheel under the car during a brake job. One less thing to stress about.
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