So I am picking up an engine to rebuild and I wanted to put it into a cradle to hang on to it until I am ready to start working on it.

The engine cradle that Summit sells is 32 Bucks for a Chevy (BBC/SBC) or 99 Bucks for an Oldsmobile (BBO/SBO). They don't seem very different... Why is there such a huge difference in price?

Chevy: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-910057/
Olds: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G1064-1/

Can I just use some engine transplant mounts (Olds motor into Chevy car) in order to mate the Olds block up to the Chevy cradle? It is actually cheaper to do that than buy the cradle.

Actually, the large image of the Olds cradle doesn't even like it would hold an Olds motor correctly:


Thanks!

 

Hard to say, as the one I custom welded up from heavy angle iron looked far different from either of those, just bolting to the motor mount locations. The Summit pic illustrations mention it might actually look different. You could probably make either one work, but may take some additional metal, bolting, or welding. I'd give you the one I made, but it's long gone. When storing an engine, good idea laying a piece of wood on it, for a little shelf.

 

i have the olds cradle and i'm really impressed with it! amazon.com has a better price on it...

 

I also have the Olds cradle and am happy with it. It holds the engine just fine but the caster attachments are a little weak: the square tubing bent a little bit when a wheel caught in a seam of my garage floor while rolling it around, now that wheel won't swivel as easily. The cradle attachments bolt right to the block at the bellhousing and engine mount points, so I don't think the transplant mount idea will work with the Chevy cradle.