Planning on pulling the 300 out of my Skylark and the 455 out of the LeSabre in a few weeks and need a couple of decent engine stands. Found these: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=32916 Should they do the trick? $49 seems a bit cheap but hey, I've never bought one before. I'm probably going to pick up a couple tomorrow. You think the quality will be OK?
Use HF myself. For your occasional amatuer such as myself. The next option might be a foldup, but it is more expensive.
I had one of those exact stands for my Olds 350. It sagged alot. Made me very nervous. The red one that Sam's Wholesale sells is a good sturdy stand. I've had a few 455's on it and it doesn't sag much.
me too I've got one of the Harbor Freight stands like you are looking at and I don't think I'd buy another one. It does sag... A LOT with just a 455 Buick. I'd be very afraid to hang my buddies 454 on it. That being said it has had about 5 or 6 different engines attached to it with no problems. The 4 wheel setup makes it much less apt. to tip than the 3 wheelers I've dealt with before. regards
Looks about the quality of the $49 one that my son bought at Northern Tool & Equipment........has never fallen over or anything, but sure does sag. And try to turn the engine on the stand? Maybe if you've got two strong guys to do it!ou: I'd go heavier with one for sure.....even if used only occassionally.
:eek2: Cole !!! THat looks Scarey !!! :eek2: I bought a Heavy Duty one rated for over 1,000 Lbs and have had a FULLY DRESSED 455" (Pan to carb, Heads, PS pump, Alt, balancer....etc) on it for 3 years now. .....It not only Doesn't Sag, its actually tilted slightly back
I bought HF's big momma stand rated at +1000lbs. Turning a little 350 was pretty damn tough. The mating flange is actually pitched backwards to compensate for the pending load I presume. If the motor sags or the motor is too light (like mine), the +/- angle makes turning the engine a real B#@tch. It is a sturdy piece, however. I would look for one with two outriggers. That ususally indicates at least 750lb capacity. Good Luck!
A little advice when it comes to tools, buy the best. If you plan to keep your parts on your engine intact or your body from injury, get the one rated higher than what your engine weighs. I also have one of the "el cheapo" stands(got it for free), I use it for short blocks only. I have the heavy duty version for a complete engine. Assembled 10-15 engines on that one ranging from 350 Chevy, 350 Olds to 455 Buick and 455 Olds. No sag. Get the one with 4 wheels. If you plan to do a complete rebuild, check into the pans that go below the engine to catch dripping fluids. I think Jegs and/or Summit sell them. Works great.
Yeah, it is scary.....but it's a built 460 that he's putting into a '70 Mach One, so who cares if it drops over!:eek2: He's likely to drop over anyway after my GS walks away from his Mustang!:laugh: :TU: :3gears:
Cole Are you sure you assembled that stand correctly? I had one that I thought sagged but I had assembled it backwards.....just a thought. Bruce
Engine stand Hi, While going to numerous swap meets last summer, found a engine stand that could be turned over with one hand.. If I remember right, price was about $300 to $350. Don't quote me. It was an exceptional stand. Best I've ever seen. Did a small block Chevy on a cheap stand. Needed a 6' long pipe to turn it over. Never again. JOE
Engine stand Hi, While going to numerous swap meets last summer, found a engine stand that could be turned over with one finger. If I remember right, price was about $300 to $350. Don't quote me. It was an exceptional stand. Best I've ever seen. Did a small block Chevy on a cheap stand. Needed a 6' long pipe to turn it over. Never again. JOE
LOL!!:laugh: Well it looks like I should avoid el cheapo stand and go for something a bit more sturdy. I can't afford anything amazing, but the one below looks a bit better. Twice the price, but would certainly make me feel a bit more confident that the motor wouldn't snap off and crush my feet! http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=4420 Thanks for the input! :TU:
I don't remember where my wife boght mine. It was a gift. It's yellow. I wanna say it was from Northern or Harbor, but I'm not sure. Anyway, it tilts slightly back as well like Alan said. I've had a 72 455 on it now for like 2 years and it seems fine to me. It's all about money. If you are anal and don't like the angle, buy a real expensive one. If you don't plan on sleeping under it, I wouldn't worry. :sleep: :eek2:
Hey that's my stand! That's the stand I opted for. However, the wheels shown in the photo are fancier than the lumps of steel mine has. However, it does the job and I could afford it. Good choice! BTW - Be VERY careful of the box it comes in. Mine barfed its guts as the UPS man delivered it. His solution was jump back in his bus and flee the scene!:af: Cheap Chinese cardboard!
Your 2nd choice looks better Ethan, Definately don't skimp on the stand. That second one you picked with the two supports looks better. I've got one like this http://www.napaonline.com/cgi-bin/n...t?prrfnbr=15614096&prmenbr=5806&usrcommgrpid= and have been very pleased with it. 455 has been on it for about 6 months and it doesn't sag. It actually tilted a little up and I can rotate the engine (2 hands) without much effort. A little grease in the cylinder where it rotates helps too. Pretty stable. Invest in some Grade 8 bolts for mounting too. Good luck. Ashby
another cheap option... not bad at all for the money. http://www.homier.com/itemdetail.asp?i=61490&c=20
Ethan, I also have the one that you have shown from harbor freight (twice as much as the cheap one). I've had two full dressed 455's on mine with no problem. My buddy had his olds 455, a cadilac 472 and a mopar 440 no problem. It's a good deal for the money. Brett
Well, not sure about that. The kid put it together. I just went out and looked at it, and the only thing that can be changed is the upright being flipped around and bolted through the opposite way. The upright is the part that is flexing badly. Them Ford engines sure must weigh a lot! Huh......the sticker on the side says it's rated at 1250 lbs! Yeah, right! I might try flipping the upright around just for the heck of it, but it doesn't seem to me that it will make any difference from the way it's constructed. I ain't no engineer though, so who knows....... Thanks for the suggestion.:TU:
