Engine Stand / Cart Recommendations

[demichae]

I'm planning pulling the engine on my 1964 230SL and then driving it to a shop to have it rebuilt.  Looking for recommendations for a engine stand or cart that will work with the engine, without have to do too many adjustments.

[BobH]

If no one comes back to you quickly, use the search button, look for "engine stand", a few posts about them on here

[johnk]

I bought mine from harbor freight. I think there was two there and I bought the one with the longer base given our engine is a straight 6.

[Cees Klumper]

I thought about recommending a regular HF stand, but then thought about how that would not work for the purpose of "driving it (the engine) to a shop to have it rebuilt".
A stand is something very different from a cart.
I would build a cradle from some sturdy wood planks and screws that you can drop in the bed of whatever truck or pickup you plan to use. Just something to keep the engine upright/in place, it would not need to be very complicated.
They will have engine stands at the rebuild place.

[dirkbalter]

I did the same as johnk. A harbor freight dolly and a short piece of 2 / 4 in the back to keep it level. That‘s you need to move it around the garage or shop.

[MikeSimon]

I agree with Cees. Was thinking exactly the same thing. A common engine "stand", like the ones from Harbour Freight (great value!) should be very difficult to transport an engine with.
You need to make yourself a "pallet" which holds the engine and can be lifted on the back of a truck. Fairly easy todo with some wood.

[dirkbalter]

You need a cherry picker or similar and a few blankets to get it in and out of the truck. The engine stand is only useful if you want to rebuild the motor imo.

[Mike Hughes]

A heavy-duty wheeled dolly with some uprights to which to bolt the motor mounts and a flange at the rear to secure the rear of the engine adjacent to the flywheel will work a treat.  Heavy duty swivel casters with brake locks are ideal for the dolly.

[dirkbalter]

A heavy-duty wheeled dolly with some uprights to which to bolt the motor mounts and a flange at the rear to secure the rear of the engine adjacent to the flywheel will work a treat.  Heavy duty swivel casters with brake locks are ideal for the dolly.

Sounds nice. But if the task is to get the engine to the shop and back as well as getting it back in the car, I think it’s a waste of time and money.
It will only occupy space and collect dust after.

[Mike Hughes]

I guess it depends on individual circumstances. I have spare engines that fit several of my cars, so my two engine dollies make it easier to store them under the work bench, move them around in my shop and to and from the machine shop. 

I have one heavy duty dolly that was given to me by a friend over thirty years ago that just has a slab of 2X12 wood bolted lengthwise into a welded angle iron frame with swivel casters at each corner.  In addition to engines, it's perfect for moving transmissions, rear axles, front cross members, etc.  I've even moved a bare chassis frame with it when I was doing a frame-off.  When my garage was being built, it came in handy for receiving, moving around and storing the cast iron propane fueled wood stove until my contractor was ready for it to be installed in the office area.  His crew were very happy not to have to manhandle it around like they usually do on other jobs. Then it was used for some of the components of my twin post shop lift until it was installed.  When not in use, this essential piece of shop equipment it stands on end taking up very little space until it is needed again.  My friend is long gone, but I thank him every time I use his home-made dolly.

[dirkbalter]

Mike,
Sounds all great but my understanding from the initial post was that he was looking for a way to move his motor to the rebuilder and back. Not to set up shop.
However, I guess he has a lot of options now.
 

[Bonnyboy]

In the past I just make them out of 2X8s, 2x6s and some metal strapping.   Even a left over pallet would work for wood.
-Make a rectangle out of 2X8s that the engine block would fit in and be supported so you are not resting on oil pan- you may need a row of 2x8s and one row of 2x6s on top to get the correct support
- secure ends of wood with lags screws and then put a continuous strip of metal strapping all the way around so it doesn't break
-put some castors under so it rolls
-screw additional wood on top to make sure it doesn't tilt
-secure engine to frame with a tiedown
-roll it into your truck bed
-then securely strap that to your truck bed so it doesn't move


Found sort of what I noted above at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXvdeaZpw1s

[dirkbalter]

Considering it is likely only be used once, I wouldn't make that any more difficult than it has to be.
Pic1 shows the rebuilders dolly to move the engine.
Pic2 shows my harbor freight one.

[getsmart]

On those resto car shows I see them transporting them on old truck tyres...

Early days I made up a little stand x 2 attached to the engine arm just so it sat nicely on the floor and not on its oil pan

Now its in a bigger cradle I made up ready to test when I get to that stage

Joe

ps. but I'll swap Dirks engine for mine if he's interested