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Old Jan 25, 2016 | 12:06 AM
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Engine Stand

I am prepping for a rebuild of my 390... I have an engine stand but need to make sure it will work. The stand I have is a high quality 1000lb stand. According to Steve Christ's book, the 390 weighs about 700lbs fully accessorized; the long block is about 500lbs. Point being I am comfortable with my stand's weight capacity. I bought it brand new and it has only been used twice so it is in great shape.

What I need to know is if the arm's on it will physically adjust out to the bellhousing bolt holes. Steve's book doesn't seem to provide the dimensions for these holes so I need to know if I am going to need to buy a larger stand or if the one I have will fit.

Can anyone provide the bellhousing bolt hole dimensions? Thanks!
 
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Old Jan 25, 2016 | 12:46 AM
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I have an early (when stuff was still painted orange) Harbor Freight 4 wheel engine stand that worked just fine with my 390. The engine was mounted on it and stored like that for a few years before I was able to get it installed. Most bell housings are roughly the same overall dimensions anyway. I did need to shim the arms away from the block by about an inch to allow the crank to rotate 360* though. Washers and longer bolts worked great.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2016 | 01:13 AM
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The stand in question is a yellow performance tool... Made in 2012. The biggest engine I have used it for was a 302. I am guessing a 390 has a wider bolt pattern than this as the bolt pattern is the main determining factor when considering an engine to be a big block or a small block.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2016 | 01:25 AM
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I'm not sure how your stand is configured, but I've used mine on 2.5L Subaru engines as well as my FE. There are plenty of bolt holes to choose from, so it should work out just fine. They tend to make them pretty universal. Otherwise the competitors who are more adaptable make more money.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2016 | 04:58 AM
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If it is as you described you should be OK.


John
 
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Old Jan 25, 2016 | 07:42 AM
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Originally Posted by 62fordF250
I have an early (when stuff was still painted orange) Harbor Freight 4 wheel engine stand that worked just fine with my 390. The engine was mounted on it and stored like that for a few years before I was able to get it installed. Most bell housings are roughly the same overall dimensions anyway. I did need to shim the arms away from the block by about an inch to allow the crank to rotate 360* though. Washers and longer bolts worked great.
I had a HF 1000lb. stand snap on me with my 428cj on it. Dam near cost me an arm and did cost app. 500 in damaged parts. Won't put that engine on anything but a 2000lb. stand or hoist after that. Might have been a quirk but I learn from experiences.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2016 | 04:38 PM
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old cheapo t style are the ones that sag and break under the FE weight .
if you have a welder add some supports to be safe .
 
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Old Jan 25, 2016 | 07:19 PM
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Originally Posted by 69cj
I had a HF 1000lb. stand snap on me with my 428cj on it. Dam near cost me an arm and did cost app. 500 in damaged parts. Won't put that engine on anything but a 2000lb. stand or hoist after that. Might have been a quirk but I learn from experiences.
Did you have a chat with the fine folks at HF? Man that will ruin your day and possibly more!
 
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Old Jan 25, 2016 | 11:19 PM
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I happen to be building a 390 and took a few photos. Having built a few motors, this being the heaviest thus far, you might be pushing it on a three leg stand. Not saying you can't do it, just doesn't seem as stable to me, granted a whole lot easier to get the motor on and off the stand.







Here's my 2 ton Harbor Freight stand. Not that I really like their stuff, but their stands and hoists seem to be A-OK for the price.

 
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Old Jan 26, 2016 | 11:51 PM
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Never use a three-point engine stand with any v8...
 
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