Which bolt holes in the block on a SBC should be used to bolt it to the stand ? I'm sure two of them are the bottom ones, but I don't know if I should use the two directly above them, or the two near the top. Does it matter ? Thanks Ron.

use the two up towards the top, and to make the engine flip over really nice on the stand when you need it to, line up the pivot point on the stand as close to the camshaft hole in the block as you can. small blocks seem to be well balanced on the stand like that.

Thanks novaderrik ! I was going to put my engine on the stand today to get ready to change the cam, and I wasn't sure of which holes to use. I've done it before but its been several years ago. I'll get back after it tomorrow; thanks, Ron.

In addition to the excellent advice given above, be careful as you start to disassemble the engine. The balance point will change, and sometimes what you think will be a nice smooth rotation of the motor can get away from you. I almost broke a finger doing just that a couple of months ago.

it has been my experienc that using the cam journal as the center point works best when the heads and intake are on it. with them off, it still balances just about as well. the top end really adds a lot of mass, and with the heads off, all the mass is in nice and close to the center of mass, so the balance point isn't so critical.

. . . and another learn-from-your-mistakes item re engine stands. Never tighten the bolt that keeps the engine from rotating before you put the weight of the engine on the stand.

At least on my engine stand it is darn near impossible to get that bolt loose if you tighten it then put the weight of the engine on. I actually broke that bolt off once trying to get it loose, then had to drill and re-tap the threads :rolleyes: