I need to build an engine stand adapter for my 8ba.
i can't use a commercially made unit, my engine stand pivot is made from a trailer axle/hub to take advantage of 2 cone bearings.

Most photos I have seen show the pivot centered with the exhaust ports. It appears that this is done for ease of construction.
Does this center point work out well for an assembled engine?

Knowing that the weighted center changes as weight is added it seems that the optimum center should be based on a point of a engine with the internals assembled.

Anyone using an adapter I'm interested in how yours handles with an assembled engine.

Thank you,
Tim

 

I've never used one myself, but the official Ford stands were made that way. It moves the load in closer to the head of the stand, a good thing. All of them I've seen, like the one you've pictured, are close to centered on the block. For your fabrication, I believe Stumpy's sells just the plate, pre-drilled. Featured Products - My Site

 

The pre 8BA engines are the real reason for the exhaust manifold mounting. The early blocks have a cast on bell housing that is thin cast iron. If you hang one of the early blocks from a common rear-of-the-engine mount stand you risk breaking the cast bell housing. There is an endless debate over on the Ford Barn about this. All I know is my dad was given this engine and was told it broke off of a modern engine stand:

 

The 8BA can be used on a normal engine stand. I would hesitate to use a 59A style engine (earlly integral bell) on a modern stand for the reasons (and picture) above.

I have put 8BA on a modern engine stand w/o any issues, but it is very heavy. I now have a side mount adapter like your pic for my next build, but haven't used it yet, so cannot comment on ease of use. Turning the 8BA on the modern stand after assembled was difficult - get a heavy duty stand with four legs instead of three if you go this route...

 

Fabed an adapter today. I offset the vertical center a bit due to crank weight. No scientific calculations just a seat of the pants move. We'll see how it fares.
With this unit I can take advantage of using all 6 exhaust bolts.
Spins freely and if the weight is close to center it will turn with one hand.
Used 4" channel & a 5/16 mounting plate.

 

I hadn't really thought about this (the weight of the motor). I am planning on rebuilding the EAB that came in my '50 F6 (it wasn't the original motor; the farmer I got the truck from said it came out of a '53 Merc back in the '70s) and had just planned on using my four legger (I have a three and a four). Thanks for the heads up!