Engine Stand Ideas Help Needed

[Tones52]

For the price, I couldn't resist it so I bought a 230 with an OD transmission that will be coming out of the donor 54 Savoy in a couple of weeks or so. My dilemma is that I don't have a garage but I do have some backyard space. My hope is to put the engine/trans on a rolling stand til I can calmly figure out next steps in putting them into in my 52 Cranbrook.

 

I had seen forum member Don G 1947's engine stand while doing a search. A photo of his stand is attached.

 

He let me know that he got the idea for his stand from an Auto Restorer article that another forum member had shared. I tried to search for that  to no avail. Although I did find that neat 4 part engine rebuild series from the magazine.

 

If anyone has that Auto Restorer article or has sources for stands that would be much appreciated.

 

There's a weld shop in the city and I found a retired gentleman in the San Fernando Valley that has a weld shop.

 

Thanks

 

Tony

 

[Don Coatney]

I used wood to make my test stand. Engine is running in the last 2 pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

[Plymouthy Adams]

places like Northern Tool and Harbor Freight sell engine stands rated at 1000 lbs...while it may not be exact for the L6 it may well be an economical entry and easily modified to handle the job...I am thinking they are in 40-45 dollar range

 

 

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200460832_200460832

Edited January 24, 2014 by Plymouthy Adams

[Dave72dt]

Is it for storage or rebuilding units?  Hard surface or soft?  It makes a difference in the size and type of wheels.  Harbor Freight, Fleet and Farm, Tractor Supply should all have castors of varying sizes and pneumatic tires for soft ground.  Hard ones work on hard surface but not good for ground.   I build my own dollies to suit my needs and modify them when needed.  Your welding shops should have some stock around and can build to your dimensions.  Ready-built engine dollies won't be around for the L6, only the popular newer stuff.  I've used wheel dollies for moving engines or transmissions around and they're something you can always use afterwards.  They don't roll well in dirt, hard surface only

[Don Coatney]

Perhaps I falsely assumed the original poster was looking for a live test stand as that was what he pictured in his posting.

[Dave72dt]

Easy enough to do if building from scratch. Having as run-in stand portable would be a nice option.

[Tones52]

Don, Plymouthy and Dave, thanks for the responses.

 

Don's measurements are helpful. Didn't mean to confuse with the photo.

 

And to answer Dave's questions: I have concrete walkways on each side of the house so I could tuck the engine and trans on concrete walkway in the backyard as I search out resources to help sort out the engine and trans.

 

So the immediate need is storage. But, if there is a rolling stand design that could do the double duty of allowing me to store but also attempt some of the work that would be great.

 

Besides space limitations, I'm also a novice and my tool inventory is most basic. I don't even have a work bench yet.

 

I'm looking to create a covered workspace adjacent to a storage shed that's in the rear corner of the yard that could help resolve future workspace issues. Fortunately, weather isn't an issue and the 52 is running well enough to be my local daily driver.

 

The attached photo is of my 52 in the driveway. What looks like a garage behind it is actually a den conversion that the previous owners had done. It's where I'm typing this note now

 

The other photo is of the driveway when all the kids and their friends are over for holidays & the city's no street parking at night rules are in place.

 

Again, if there's a design out there or ideas please let me know via this thread or a PM. Know that it's much appreciated.

 

Tony

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 24, 2014 by Tones52

[pflaming]

Attached Thumbnails

• I showed this picture to my wife, she doesn't like it if there is one car in the driveway. According to this, I have room for six more cars. The 52 Plymouth is a real beauty. An OD will make it even more fun to drive. 
  
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[Tones52]

Thanks pflaming. My wife hates the driveway looking like that, too.

 

We've been at this house since the 80's. When the kids were little it wasn't a big deal. Now, when they're all home I'm stacking the cars like the Tetris video game.

 

BTW - I'm enjoying your Suburban build. I'm up to page 15 now. And it's one of the reasons why I'm even thinking of doing some of the engine and maybe even trans work when I get the units. So thanks for that, too.

 

Tony

[Dave72dt]

If you're going to work on it by the back shed and have soil to traverse, you'll want pneumatic tires on it. If you're going to be tearing the engine apart, commercial engine stands can be had for less than you can build them. These engines are HEAVY so spring for the heavier duty ones, 4 wheels preferred over 3 wheeled tricycle type. Just cleanup and painting, build one that puts it at a comfortable working height. Standing or sitting, crankshaft at waist level works well for me. Tell your welder what you're doing. (S)He should be able to assist you with a design. Do your work on a hard surface. Cleanup is easier and finding dropped bolts, nuts and wrenches is easier.

[pflaming]

What is the gauge on the radiator for (pic in post #1). It looks like a vacuum gauge. I like how this is set up, one can really fine tune an engine with this or similar set up before putting it  back in. 

Edited January 26, 2014 by pflaming

[JerseyHarold]

I got a 1000-pound, 4-wheel engine stand from Harbor Freight for my '52 Plymouth engine several years ago.  I would not recommend it.   The engine sagged dangerously at the unsupported end so I had to prop it up with wood, and the wheels did not move well at all.   It is possible that they have updated the design recently.  I recommend going to one of their stores in person and check it out for yourself.

[Niel Hoback]

   To emphasize a previous post, do not purchase or use a three-wheeled stand. It's not worth the chance of dumping the motor on the ground if you're lucky, and on your feet if you're not. They are also difficult to move around because of their tendency to tip sideways. 

[Plymouthy Adams]

any hard steel wheel without bearing on the individual wheel axles or the swivel base of the caster itself is going to groan and moan under weight of even a moderate size engine..these stand are designed for building an engine..not long term storage...some do not like anything beyond the weight of just the short block..

[pflaming]

I built a stand copied after Dons'. Then I put that on a four wheel car dolly from HF. It is very easy to move around the shop. It's a bit low and I could adjust that but I have a good winch from the rafters so I lift the engine and put it strong metal 'saw horses' BUT I always keep that winch attached and snug. Like bad relatives,an 800# block of steel does not tell you it's coming only that it has ARRIVED! 

[JerseyHarold]

Cut-down supermarket shopping carts (legitimately obtained, of course!) make excellent engine dollies.