Engine Stand

[Splandman]

I need to buy a good engine stand that is sturdy enough for a big block. Will the ones from Harbor Freight be good enough or should I look elsewhere?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I don't want to buy junk.

 

[skysurfer]

The 1000 lb. model will give you a 350-400 lb. safety margin but you should assemble it with all new grade 8 hardware. The included hardware is typical china junk.

 

[350runner]

http://m.oreillyauto.com/mt/www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/ACD9/34710.oap?keyword=engine+stand

Sent from the dust in front of you!

 

[Splandman]

http://m.oreillyauto.com/mt/www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/ACD9/34710.oap?keyword=engine+stand

Sent from the dust in front of you!

That one looks nice and certainly heavy duty. Thanks.

 

[350runner]

Yep! It will make moving the engine around easy and you can feel comfortable working on that big block. Also I would get some grade A bolts to mount it to the engine.

Sent from the dust in front of you!

 

[Green79Scottsdale]

I guess it depends on your definition of good enough. I have the HF one. For the $40 I paid for it new I can't complain. It handles my small block good enough. It has six or eight positions to lock in the rotating head at. With the engine on the stand it can be a pain to get the pin in because it is tilted slightly. It probably would be good enough for your big block as long as you can justify the cheap price. I didn't buy mine with the intention of using it constantly for lots of engines. I figured it would get used two to four times.

That ACDelco one will be vastly superior, no doubt, that is if the price of it doesn't bother you.

I would look for one with a geared rotating head that you can lock into any position. They might be a little expensive, but I think they would be worth the $$ if you can swing it.

 

[bucket]

I have several of the $35 stands from the parts stores. They are different brands and colors over the years, but they are all the same stand. They are fine with a small block, but anything more than that, they flex way too much for me. I bought a higher rated stand from Jeg's (probably a 1K rating IIRC) and it is much better suited for big block use.

One note about the Jegs stuff. They also offer the little engine skate things that bolt right to the motor mounts, used for easily storing a complete motor under a bench or something. They say they are for SB and BB... but they certainly DO NOT hold up to a complete big block motor.

 

[Splandman]

I would look for one with a geared rotating head that you can lock into any position. They might be a little expensive, but I think they would be worth the $$ if you can swing it.

I looked at one of the geared ones yesterday on the NAPA website. I think it was a little over $300. NAPA always seems a little high to me though. I bought one of their floor jacks last year, it was more than the others but I have been happy with it.
I will be ordering one in the next couple of weeks or so. I am leaning towards the Delco right now.