Getting the engine up on the stand.

[Ponch ®]

Any good tips on how to set it up using a hoist? I have a 4-point 1250 lbs stand for my 360.

[dodge freak]

My only tips are to make sure you use long enough bolts so the nuts go on all the way maybe even use two nuts. Make sure the bolts, washers and nuts are not the cheap ones. I have had them get bent after a while. Maybe use harden bolts but those are not going to be cheap. I would use harden nuts and washers fore sure.

[Ponch ®]

My only tips are to make sure you use long enough bolts so the nuts go on all the way maybe even use two nuts. Make sure the bolts, washers and nuts are not the cheap ones. I have had them get bent after a while. Maybe use harden bolts but those are not going to be cheap. I would use harden nuts and washers fore sure.

i bought a set purpose engine stand bolts, so they should be long and strong enough.

How about lining it up..is that pretty hard? im a little worried about properly setting the arms of the engine stand to fit the engine...but i guess ill figure it out.

[dodge freak]

On my stand the mounting head came off. I bolted it on while the engine was on the hoist, then I lifted the stand up a little to slide it on. Just make sure all the bolts are on before you start tighten them. Don't forget the arms that mount to the head.

[1973_WP29P]

I take the mounting plate off the engine stand and mount it on the engine (It is easier to center the plate this way). After that lower the engine down to the stand (This makes it easier to line it up and you don't bust your back lifting the stand). Slide the mounting plate back into the stand and make sure to secure it from turning when you set it down (You can flip the stand really easy if you don't, been there, done that). Now lower stand and engine to the floor (Make sure the weight is distributed evenly to all the wheels or you can tip the hoist over also, almost been there, done that).


                                                                                                        Rod

[Chryco Psycho]

I use the top 2 mount holes & the bottom 2 to spread the load as wide a s possible on the rear of the block

[8WHEELER]

I also prefer using the two top holes then the two bottom holes. This engine is not in the
bottom holes yet in this picture, because I was not there yet, so I needed longer bolts.

Dan

[Ponch ®]

I take the mounting plate off the engine stand and mount it on the engine (It is easier to center the plate this way). After that lower the engine down to the stand (This makes it easier to line it up and you don't bust your back lifting the stand). Slide the mounting plate back into the stand and make sure to secure it from turning when you set it down (You can flip the stand really easy if you don't, been there, done that). Now lower stand and engine to the floor (Make sure the weight is distributed evenly to all the wheels or you can tip the hoist over also, almost been there, done that).


                                                                                                         Rod

sometimes I'm amazed at my lack of common sense. It hadnt occured to me to try that...that seems like the easiest way to do it. Thanks!

I was gonna do it yesterday, but apparently I need about an inch or so of washers on each bolt. By the time i got back from the hardware store, it was too dark.

[Old Moparz]

Hey Dan, (8Wheeler)

Is this something you added? (See arrow in pic) On the stand I have, it's just a bolt that tightens against the tube inside that rotates. I like this idea better since I had an engine on it once that started to rotate because the bolt wasn't tight enough. That scared the hell out of me when it looked as though it was ready to flip.

Ponch, what holds your stand from rotating?

Bob

[Ponch ®]

Ponch, what holds your stand from rotating?

Bob

the same as dan's...that little pin that your arrow is pointing at. The tube inside is has holes for it to go in. Its kinda short, so I might get a longer bolt and use it instead.

So from what I gather here, I take it its not a good idea to rotate a complete engine on the stand?

[8WHEELER]

Hey Dan, (8Wheeler)

Is this something you added? (See arrow in pic) On the stand I have, it's just a bolt that tightens against the tube inside that rotates. I like this idea better since I had an engine on it once that started to rotate because the bolt wasn't tight enough. That scared the hell out of me when it looked as though it was ready to flip.

Ponch, what holds your stand from rotating?

Bob

Yes the engine stand came that way ''Harbor Freight'' the older style did use a bolt to press down on the inside tube. I
used it so much on my first engine stand and it wore a groove on the inside tube pretty bad, I don't use that style anymore.

I prefer not to rotate the engine after I put the heads on, it can be done if you are strong enough and carefull enough
but I no longer do it, just not worth the risk on some of these engine stand.

Dan

[Ponch ®]

I prefer not to rotate the engine after I put the heads on, it can be done if you are strong enough and carefull enough
but I no longer do it, just not worth the risk on some of these engine stand.

Dan

yeah, I think ill play it safe on that. I really only wanted to rotate it when im cleaning it and painting it and to change the oil pan, but thats not really necessary.

How much does a complete small block weight anyway? My stand is for up to 1250 lbs.

[Bandit72]

I prefer not to rotate the engine after I put the heads on, it can be done if you are strong enough and carefull enough
but I no longer do it, just not worth the risk on some of these engine stand.

Dan

yeah, I think ill play it safe on that. I really only wanted to rotate it when im cleaning it and painting it and to change the oil pan, but thats not really necessary.

How much does a complete small block weight anyway? My stand is for up to 1250 lbs.

1250 will be fine...i had my complete 413 on a 1000lb stand...i didn't like it too much because it seemed to "give" quite abit but it was only on there for afew days...

later 

[Ponch ®]

ok fellas...i have a problem here. Seems that no matter how i try to adjust it, I cant get all four of the stands "arms" to reach all four holes. I can get 3, but I end up about an inch short on the last one..

Am I doing something wrong, or is it possible that the plate or the arms on my stand are simply too small?

I dont want to go back to the store where I bought it and look like a dumbass ....

[RD]

rotate the mounting plate 180 degrees and try it that way.

[dodge freak]

Are all the arms loose?

[71440charger]

try bolting the two bottom bolts to the bottom of the motor the ones that are horzontal to each other then skip a hole and bolt the other two in ( that is skipping a hole on each side and try that.

[Ponch ®]

try bolting the two bottom bolts to the bottom of the motor the ones that are horzontal to each other then skip a hole and bolt the other two in ( that is skipping a hole on each side and try that.

thanks guys...i tried all your suggestions (and everything else I could think of) and still no dice. HEre is my predicament:



Notice the lower right arm wont reach to where the bolt is. Im thinking that maybe i could get holes drilled on the arms 1/2" to 1" farther out, and then it should reach. I dont want that to compromise the strength of the arm. What do y'all think?

[Troy]

Found this here:
http://www.off-roadweb.com/tech/0312or_jeepower/


Another here:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2126516


Hope that helps.

Troy

[bull]

try bolting the two bottom bolts to the bottom of the motor the ones that are horzontal to each other then skip a hole and bolt the other two in ( that is skipping a hole on each side and try that.

thanks guys...i tried all your suggestions (and everything else I could think of) and still no dice. HEre is my predicament:



Notice the lower right arm wont reach to where the bolt is. Im thinking that maybe i could get holes drilled on the arms 1/2" to 1" farther out, and then it should reach. I dont want that to compromise the strength of the arm. What do y'all think?

Looks like the two lower straps need to go to the two lower bolt holes instead of the next ones up like you have it.

[Ponch ®]

Looks like the two lower straps need to go to the two lower bolt holes instead of the next ones up like you have it.

they wont reach, even straightend out horizontally.

[Ponch ®]

so how stupid (or smart) is it if i simply run the bolts through the plate directly to the block, like this (im only using the arms as spacers):



The lower arms are bolted on normally to the block,  through the 'middle' holes.   

[71440charger]

try it this way

[Ponch ®]

try it this way

the two bottom arms arent long enough. about 1 or 2 inches short.

[Troy]

Mojo, I don't think running them straight in will be a problem but you still need to get the bottom two bolted in right? Or did that work when you moved it up?

Troy

[firefighter3931]

Ponch :

(1) remove the flexplate off the crank before you bolt on the plate.

(2) try rotating the plate 180* and leave all the bolts loose so you can adjust the sliding arms.

Ron

[Ponch ®]

Mojo, I don't think running them straight in will be a problem but you still need to get the bottom two bolted in right? Or did that work when you moved it up?

Troy

yeah, the two lower arms do reach the middle holes.

here's a better pic of the tentative set up:

Ponch :

(1) remove the flexplate off the crank before you bolt on the plate.

I've been trying to do that - I dont know if you can tell from the pic, but I have the engine on the ground (on an old tire) in a pretty awkawrd position and I dont think its stable enough to have enough leverage to hold the crank bolt in the front. Otherwise, the crank turns when I try to undo the flexplate bolts. I'm gonna give it another shot tomorrow, when my brother is here to help - today ive been flying solo with this.

[8WHEELER]

It is very easy to get the flex plate off. Put a wrench on the bolts to take off the frex plate, if the engine
starts to turn over, just put a piece of wood like an old hammer handle, through the flex plate and past the block
about 4inch's and turn it untill it hits the block, then you can take all the rest of the bolts out with no problem.

Dan