2 Questions:

1. Anybody know if a 4 wheel 1000lb engine stand is a better solution to
store a 455 for the winter (may have to move it around a little bit) or
if a 3 wheel stand would safice. I'm not sure what the motor weighs but I'm sure it's heavier than a SB Chevy!

2. Any experience / recommendations for a good engine stand? Harbor Freight? Sears?

Thanks in advance.

 

I forget where I got mine, but either should work. the engine goes around 550 lbs if I remember right.

 

The one big problem with the lite weight ones with 3 wheel, is in moving the motor. If you are on flat surface not to much of a problem, but if you are on a driveway like mine with some slope, it will tip over if not carefull. I like the 4 wheeled ones

 

I would opt for a 4 wheel personally. They are just safer, having more balance. I have seen several of the 3 wheeled ones tip over.
Don't mean to hi-jack your post but what does an Olds 350 weigh?

 

Whatever you use make sure it's heavy duty. When I was a kid in the 70s I borrowed my buds motor stand.It was used to his SBC. Put a 455 Olds on it and it couldn't hold it. The old man had to weld it up for me.

 

If you don't already have a stand buy the four wheel, i have tipped a three wheel with a SBO on it not safe. If you already own the three wheel modify it to be a four wheel four safty. Alittle fabrication goes a long way for safty. JKaz

 

the general rule is 550 for a sbo, 650 for a bbo.
four wheel stand is a must.
750 lb. rating is kind of tight-go for the 1000 lb; then you could hang a diesel on it(if the need ever arises). this also allows you to wrench on the motor while on the stand.
i've used larin brand stands with fully assembled bbo's that sat for over a year. not saying larin is the best out there-but they've never let me or my motors down(not even a sag).

don't "cheap out" on safety


bill

 

I have the 1000 lb stand with with the four wheels, very stable, I also went with the large caster rubber wheels. hard the small hard wheels to start with. 1 i/4" bolt would hang it up.

 

I bought the 1000 lb stand from Summit. It just required a little bit of assembly, but it works great. Plus, it was priced reasonably as well.

 

I can attest to that. Good idea about the larger rubber wheels, shouldn't be too hard to convert, there is a Tractor Supply in town that I bet has some.

 

I have dumped an assembled BBO short block when a three wheel engine stand fell over. One of the dowel pin bosses for the heads cracked from the impact. Use only a four wheel heavy duty stand.

Also be aware that strength and stiffness are very different things. Get the largest, heaviest wall tubing stand you can afford.

 

Will do. Thanks for the advice.

 

I guess I missed that three wheel part. sorry mine is a four wheel unit. I thought I got the lighter one. Guess not. Did not mean to give bad information.

 

455 620lbs complete less flywheel
350 560lbs complete less flywheel
this may help but as Joe stated, 4 wheel stand is overall better especially if needing to move around. Does have better balance.

 

I bought a 1000 lb. engine stand from Harbor Freight on sale for $50, and have a 455 on it right now with no problems. Try upgrading to better fasteners when assembling the stand. I substituted grade 8 bolts from my local hardware store. (the engine stand has 4 wheels)