Engine Stand
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 138
From: Northern California
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!
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!
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 277
Likes: 21
From: Western Montana
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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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 138
From: Northern California
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.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 277
Likes: 21
From: Western Montana
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.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
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.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 54
From: Antelope Valley ,CA
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 .
if you have a welder add some supports to be safe .
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 261
Likes: 3
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.
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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