[zlek131]

Hey guys, would a 750 lbs engine stand be big and safe enough for my BBC build? My build will be iron BBC (540), aluminum heads, with 8-71 blower.

I found this stand on local CraigsList for $65 (I am sure I can talk'em down to $50). I read some posts and 1000 lbs appears to a common one. Also most are recommending a 4 wheel stand which this one is...sort of, as the front 2 wheels are rather narrow/close to each other. This one also allows you to rotate the block. Thanks for any input.

[1962vette]

I sure wouild not trust that weak looking stand for any BB of mine. Just my 2 cents. Definitely go with the heavy duty unit.

[ace's68]

It will hold but with those stands they get really top heavy and if you need to move it, it's a chore to keep it from tipping over, ESPECIALLY if your going to have a blower on top.

OH... and I wouldn't pay $20 for that, my stand was given to me for free, thats how bad these things are. it's not that they cant physically hold the weight of all iron motors, that isn't the problem, they just tip easy. You need to invest in the 4-leg stand with casters on each end, use strong bolts, with the 3 leg stands having only one point of connection the sagging motor will bend weak bolts and eventually snap them.

[Vegas69]

Go to Harbor China and get some steel. That thing is a pile o chit.

[69CamaroRT]

few opinions, it would work, but, i think the front wheels need to be spaced farther apart for stability. also, for strength, weld a bracket from the horizontal peice to the verticle peice, just my opinion.

[67SS/RSCONV]

I had a small block fall over when I was a kid, will never put an engine on anything less than one of these. Best 99 bucks you can spend, especially if you will be moving the engine and working on it while on the stand.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=67015

[Eric Kammerer]

Matt -

As the others have pointed out, that style is less than ideal for any engine, let alone for a BBC. When I bought my car as a roller, the 402 was stored on an identical stand. Even bolted securely to the rear plate, the front sagged so much with the heads and intake on that you could not roll it over, if that makes sense.

HF has the same basic stand for $5.01 less... http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=32916

This is the style being recommended: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=67015

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003a

[Dale8346]

Don't waste your money on a cheap stand.
It will hold the weight,but every time you put some leverage on a bolt you will be afraid of it tipping. If you go to move it, it will fall. Not worth having a cheap stand.

No one would buy that stand if they had ever built one before.

[Denvervet]

Matt,
If you don't need real soon you are welcome to mine when I'm done. It is the heavy duty 1000lb type. Hopefully will be done with it in a couple of months.

[zlek131]

Thanks everyone and glad I asked. Based on the comments this engine stand is a NO for sure. I'll keep my eye out for something more heavy duty.

David, thanks for the offer. If I haven't got one in a couple months, I'll take you up on it. This 540 build will be a slow project as I am in no hurry.

[zlek131]

Here is another one I found on Craigs List yesterday and heard back from the guy today. He's asking $40. Any thoughts?

[SixtyAte]

Originally Posted by zlek131

Here is another one I found on Craigs List yesterday and heard back from the guy today. He's asking $40. Any thoughts?

Humm...

That looks like it would tip over too. Good for 4 cyl engines maybe. Get the one mentioned before

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=67015


Kev

[grumpyvette]

Originally Posted by 67SS/RSCONV

I had a small block fall over when I was a kid, will never put an engine on anything less than one of these. Best 99 bucks you can spend, especially if you will be moving the engine and working on it while on the stand.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=67015

ILL AGREE.IVE got three of those engine stands in my shop,(all about 12 years old now) ALL with BBC engines on them, they are NOT top of the line but certainly strong enough to do the job safely and Id strongly suggest you buy and weld on four of these casters (two of each) or something similar as it makes them far easier to roll in the shop, if you constantly do engine builds, the stock casters work fine for occasional use but its far easier with the better casters mounted, if they did,t change the metal thickness or design lately they are fine, the only flaw in the design is getting the engine crane close enough, due to the clearances between the legs on both the crane and stand, to easily swing the engine into place, youll need an engine tilter..

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46818


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46819

adding a swivel like this between the leveler and crane GREATLY AIDS THE ENGINES REMOVAL, AS IT PREVENTS THE TENDENCY OF THE ENGINE HANGING ON A CHAIN TO CONSTANTLY WANT TO SWING BACK INTO A SINGLE LOCATION, BUT DON,T GET STUPID or CHEAP, GET THE 3400lb rated one not the 1200lb size (REMEMBER YOULL BE UNDER THAT ENGINE SOMETIMES)

youll need two of these rated at similar load strength[/b]

[GMJoe]

HF has the 1000lb.HD stand on sale for $50 and they have 20% off coupons in most car mags right now.
I bought the 1 ton folding hoist and the above engine stand yesterday for $167 with an extended warranty on the hoist, I cant build them for that.

[rj68RS]

As others have said, don't skimp on the engine stand or on the hoist. I still have one of the old 3 leg engine stands from when I was a teenager. Used to hold a 455 HO Pontiac on it and I swear you could hear the stand scream. I kept it as a back up but would not put more than a SBC long block on it now.

For the engine stand get a 1250lbs one as a minimum. They can be had for good deals at Harbor Freight (as mentioned above), Northern Tools, Tractor Supply, and even your local Kragens/Checkers. I got a Big Red by Torin as a floor sample for $50.00 as example.

For the engine hoist go for 2 1/2 ton unit as when the boom is fully extended you still get 1/2 ton or 1000lbs. The 1 ton hoists are fine for puny import motors and that's about it.