I'm in the middle of bolting the 425 onto my engine stand. what would be best? Threading a whole inch into the block or just a half inch??

Thanks guys!

 

Are you referring to threading bolts into where the engine mounts would normally go on the block? If so, go in as far as you can if you intend to run the engine on the stand. Use the engine mount bolts or get comparable set of grade 8 bolts from the hardware store.

 

Where the bellhousing bolts to the block is where I'm bolting the engine stand. Would a half inch be enough?? Or is a whole inch threaded into the block safer?? I'm used to chevy small blocks. This is my first olds block! I'm excited, but I want to be safe with it. Big blocks are a new animal to me.

I have grade 5 bolts. Wouldn't that work okay??

 

1/2 inch is marginal for strength. Get grade 8 bolts and thick washers for under the heads of the bolts, long enough to go all the way through the open holes and almost all the way into the blind holes. Run a tap through the threads to clean them first. tighten them, need not use a torque wrench but you want somewhere near 30 ft lb.

I don't like to put a whole engine on the stand, and a full shortblock only when I have a support at the front also (I made one from box tubing, going between the engine stand legs and up to the block.)

 

X2 on the front brace. Watch out for the cheap three wheel stands they are not safe and will tip over very easy.

 

By the way, I like a 55 gallon drum to sit the block on while assembling pistons, rings, rods, on its bellhousing surface with blocks of 2x4 wood under it. I put the cherry picker next to it with a chain from the front cover surface up to the hook.

If you have ever had a block or worse complete engine get away from you, you can understand why I like a belt, suspenders, and velcro.

 

sounds like a good method. you do not have to rotate the engine to work on both sides just walk around the drum. I'll have to take a look at that

 

Joe, any stories you want to share?

I had one go over on a three wheel stand. Didnt care it was a ferd but i did quickly make it a four wheel stand.

 

Well, I did get it on the stand. It's just the bare block. I have grade 5 bolts with washers. Seems to hold up okay. The stand has four wheels. Hasn't tipped over yet. Will I be okay?

 

You will be fine with the bolts. I used grade 5 bolts and it held up. But I agree with the 4 wheel stand as mine tipped over and crushed my toe with a 3 wheel a little while ago.

 

A machinists rule of thumb is to have a minimum of 1 1/2 times the diameter of the bolt. If you have 3/8 bolts, the length should be 1 1/2 times 3/8 or 9/16 inch of engagement. You should always use grade 5 or better bolts whenever possible in load bearing situations.

 

I used industral strength bolts (like grade 5 or grade 8) and bought a 2x4 and wedged it under the oil pan and cross bar, just to be safe

 

Yeah, I have the four wheeled engine stand and it holds up the block great! I've had no problems. Thank you for your help guys.

 

Glad that worked out for you.