Engine Cradle
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
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Engine Cradle
I'm in need of an engine cradle/dolly and I have the materials and access to the tools to build one. After some extensive searches I'm not coming up with and measurements or prints to build my own. I have a 6 hour drive from the shop to my place so I want to build a good cradle. I'll put my original engine on it for storage once I've installed the new engine. Thanks so much if you can help guide my twisted mind!
Indy
Indy
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
That's alot of stress on the motor mount holes, especially with the tranny on there. I would not do it that way. THe cradle I used to transport mine has two more supports that bolt to the lower bellhousing holes on the back off the block 
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From: Clayton NC
Originally Posted by MotorHead
That's alot of stress on the motor mount holes, especially with the tranny on there. I would not do it that way. THe cradle I used to transport mine has two more supports that bolt to the lower bellhousing holes on the back off the block
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Pro
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This is the design I was wanting to build. The reason I will be strapping the complete engine into a pickup truck. I really don't think I require the wheel option and I would like to support the rear of the assembly also.
Indy
Indy
Senior Member since 1492
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by youwish2bme
Take a look at the one in my sig. If you like it I can take some measurements of it and take some closer pics. I paid way to much for it but it's what I needed... Dave..
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Originally Posted by youwish2bme
I guess the torque of the motor isn't that much? You're kiddin right? The way that this type of stand work is as fulcrum. No excess stress on the motor mounts. Dave.
The pic of the blue cradle the way to go, that is the one I used. It has two extra supports at the back that bolt to the bellhousing holes at the back of the block.
I guess one is for transporting and one is for rolliing the motor around your shop. I am sure it has been done but I would not transport a motor and tranny with the one with the motor mount supports only
Last edited by MotorHead; Jan 15, 2006 at 06:58 PM.
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From: Clayton NC
Originally Posted by MotorHead
I don't know who is kidding here, looks to me like the point at where the motor is bolted to the stand there is 10% of weight on the front side and 90% on the back, putting tremendous strain on the front motor mount bolts.
The pic of the blue cradle the way to go, that is the one I used. It has two extra supports at the back that bolt to the bellhousing holes at the back of the block.
I guess one is for transporting and one is for rolliing the motor around your shop. I am sure it has been done but I would not transport a motor and tranny with the one with the motor mount supports only
The pic of the blue cradle the way to go, that is the one I used. It has two extra supports at the back that bolt to the bellhousing holes at the back of the block.
I guess one is for transporting and one is for rolliing the motor around your shop. I am sure it has been done but I would not transport a motor and tranny with the one with the motor mount supports only
Dave..
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From: Forked River NJ
Just think how much stress is on the bellhousing mount when you hang a complete motor off an engine stand. If they can hold the whole motor the motor mounts can surely hold up to supporting the motor this way.
Race Director
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
i used Stpmans plans and made them just like his.....they work great.....and i've had two different engines onthem both with trans....a th350 and 700r4....i do stick a block of wood under the trans...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
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From: Raleigh North Carolina
Originally Posted by Gordonm
Just think how much stress is on the bellhousing mount when you hang a complete motor off an engine stand. If they can hold the whole motor the motor mounts can surely hold up to supporting the motor this way.
Typical engine stand design has the two upper bolts holding most of the weight... and by the threads too (3/8-16).
I gotta believe the Jegs design (motor mount, 6 bolts 3/8-16 sheer loaded) is more than strong enough.
I just finished assembling a SBC including intake, carb, exhaust manifolds, starter, distributor and C2 sidepipes on a stand, and transferred it to a Jegs stand to run it... and break in the cam.
I'll let ya'll know if it falls over while it's running.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 156
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From: Oakdale Ct
Originally Posted by stpman
Here's what I made to store my engine on during the resto of my 73
Stp
Stp
Could I get some dimensions or plans for your stand? I got a Millermatic for X-mas and cant wait to build something! (my wife keeps asking what on earth I'm going to use it for)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Originally Posted by BigE
Hey stpman!
Could I get some dimensions or plans for your stand? I got a Millermatic for X-mas and cant wait to build something! (my wife keeps asking what on earth I'm going to use it for)
Could I get some dimensions or plans for your stand? I got a Millermatic for X-mas and cant wait to build something! (my wife keeps asking what on earth I'm going to use it for)
Stp
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Oakton VA
I made one from some 3/4" plywood and some 2x4s. The flat bottom made it wasy to use in a pickup truck for transporting to machine shop. Easy to make and will easily disassemble when I'm finished with it. It can be built in about a half-hour. It now sits on a furniture dolly now that the engine is back in my garage.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 215
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From: Belton Missouri
You can buy that blue type stand with wheel at tool sales places like Cummings Tools and Northern Tools (see two examples for less than $40)
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...6968&langId=-1
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...6688&langId=-1
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...6968&langId=-1
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...6688&langId=-1