Big Block on an Engine Stand

[sklbndt]

Am in my first project and have never worked with an engine stand but it just seems to me that it's a lot of load on 4 bolts to hold that big ole 455. Engine stands have been used for decades with little or no redesign so this question is probably kinda silly, but really, 4 bolts into the bell housing and no problem??

[Bluevista]

Danger-Danger Will Robinson! They don't attach to the bellhousing!!!! If you mean directly to the engine on the back it's a different story. No problems other than making sure it doesn't fall over and use the correct grade bolts. Careful moving one, on a 3 legged stand especially, like this.

MVC-290Fs.JPG

[sklbndt]

Originally Posted by Bluevista

Danger-Danger Will Robinson! They don't attach to the bellhousing!!!! If you mean directly to the engine on the back it's a different story. No problems other than making sure it doesn't fall over and use the correct grade bolts. Careful moving one, on a 3 legged stand especially.

Oops...wrong choice of words...I meant where the bell housing bolts up which is the rear of the engine. And I have a 4 wheel stand...avoided the 3 wheelers just for that reason. Thanks for the info!!

[Bluevista]

I figured that, had me scared there for a minute.
I bet that's never been done before.

[J-(Chicago)]

LOL. I had an engine stand that got folded in half by a 455. Took about 45 minutes. We drank beer and watched it die. Then we lopped the tube off of the back and made an engine test running stand out of the base.

[citcapp]

Four wheel stand is the only way to go. Watched a three wheeler toppel over with a hemi on it once wipped out the carb, intake, fuel pump, valve covers, ugly site. I use a 1200 Lb 4 wheel stand with a wide wheel base front and rear.

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by sklbndt

Am in my first project and have never worked with an engine stand but it just seems to me that it's a lot of load on 4 bolts to hold that big ole 455. Engine stands have been used for decades with little or no redesign so this question is probably kinda silly, but really, 4 bolts into the bell housing and no problem??

Not a problem. Just be sure to use Grade 8 bolts, not the Chinesium ones from Lowes Depot. Also, thick (or multiple) washers under the heads of the bolts where they pass through the spider of the engine stand.

If you don't already have a stand, use a four wheel stand with a BBO. I dumped a BBO short block once with a three-wheel stand. Not pretty.

[jensenracing77]

you think a 455 is bad, i did a 394 on an engine stand (the 4 wheel stand). the bell housing is part of the block on it so the engine is about 4 inches farther out on the stand. i think the 394 is alot heaver than the 455 but i am not sure. i was sweating bullets when i put the heads and intake on. looking back now is scars me. don't think i will be doing a 394 that way again. it never fell though

[csstrux]

I think if I was getting that worried, I'd cut a 2X4 or something to block up the front end. Probably isn't a bad idea anyway.

[Vinny72olds]

Be careful moving or leaning against engine. My 16 year old son sort of fell into the engine and down it went.The right head smacked the concrete floor where the alt. bolts in and pieces went flying. I picked him up told him to get in the truck shut the garage doors and went home. All I wanted to do was wrap my hands around his neck and.....well you get the picture. Now I don't know what to do.

[Oldsguy]

You get yourself a new head if you can't repair the damage.......

[Jamesbo]

I also like the trays under the 4 legged ones that catch the goop.

[citcapp]

Originally Posted by Jamesbo

I also like the trays under the 4 legged ones that catch the goop.

Why didn't I think of that

Get a new head? Yes, also get a new kid Just kidding sort of

[Jamesbo]

Originally Posted by citcapp

Why didn't I think of that

Because neither of us is smart enough to invent the Hula Hoop or the Pet rock.