Engine stands with geared head

Hey all,

I want to get some feedback on engine stands with the gear mechanism to rotate the engine.

I have always liked the ability of bolting the engine stand head to the engine, and then "offering" the engine stand up to this piece while hanging on the cherry picker. One of the problems I've experienced when trying to do this with an entire engine stand assembly is the legs of the cherry picker getting in the way as I'm trying to position the stand. Second, the weight of the stand when you're trying to line it up. Now granted if the engine is hanging all perfectly balanced at the correct angle and pointed in the correct direction things are easier. Typing this made me think maybe I should put a swivel on the hook of the cherry picker to easily rotate the engine. The other thing I was thinking was putting a gear drive on my existing engine stands that still lets me remove the head of the stand separately. There's some pretty simple mechanisms I can adapt, but at around $250 for an engine stand that already has the gear mechanism (but head doesn't remove), am I making unnecessary work for myself? Has anyone else thought about this with regards to engine stands? BTW the 308 motor is quite heavy to spin on the engine stand with the gearbox attached so that's why I'm trying to do this.

I built another trick stand that picks up on the two triangular flanges on the block. The only bummer about it is that I can't get the diff and cover in the gearbox with it mounted like this. I was thinking I could mod that stand but I would still like the gear drive, and the conventional stands seems to hold things pretty well. I just want to add a "fifth" arm to attach to the gearbox for additional support when the whole lump is on there.

cheers

 

I have this one but have not tried it yet - I will be in a few weeks

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VRF4CE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Yea that's one I saw last night.

Does the head come off? I looked closer at the pics since you posted a link and it does look like that gear assembly can be unbolted...

 

I took the cover off for you. You can see the shaft axle nut which holds it in. Very simple design.
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Thanks for taking 'er apart! Looks like I'll have to order one.

I dig the fact that they use the same style of "proprietary" nut as Ferrari .

cheers

 

I gave up trying to use engine stands.. the 3x8 blocks are a pain to use on them so for bottom end assy I just use a hydrolic cart. I should also mention that for now I'm still strong enough to lift and move the short block around. The gearbox engine get mated and onto the cart they go, then the heads are tq'd on.

The neatest stand I've ever seen was at Cizeta, dual sided stand with gearing and a catch pan tray with drain. Slick... But took up a lot of space. Here's another neat tip for those not concerned with pure originality, get rid of the studs for the diff cover and use bolts. The cover and diff will clear once the heads are on but only if there are no studs involved.

 

$220. Sounds like a cool gadget!