AidanT Posted April 4, 2018 Report Share Posted April 4, 2018 Question. Are there any issues in using an engine stand on a six pot? I'm sure someone said it damages the end plate but it may just be me. Anything I should know about or anyone recommend that I do Thanks Aidan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted April 4, 2018 Report Share Posted April 4, 2018 Apparently you don't bolt it to the end plate, but into the block itself - this was never explained to me when I bought mine so for years I just bolted the arms of the stand to the end plate with threaded rods and large washers, but you're supposed to use bolts that will screw into the block. Where you get them from these days is another matter! As far as I can tell my endplate is undamaged after aforementioned abuse, but on both of my recent engines I went for alloy replacements anyway so it was immaterial. You can also bolt to the side of the engine block where the engine mounts fit - this will hold the engine side on to the stand as opposed to end on, but it still rotates sufficiently to allow access to the important bits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Twitchen Posted April 4, 2018 Report Share Posted April 4, 2018 Aidan, Agree with Colin's comments re the end plate, and I also did not appear to have had a problem. I bought my stand from Machine Mart many years ago. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 4, 2018 Report Share Posted April 4, 2018 Colin. I have an engine stand but never used it - yet !! Am I right in thinking that probably all engines have these bolt holes created during casting, in case a day comes when the engine does need to be bolted to such a stand ?? Never cross-referenced a WSM to check for such and nor has that information been obvious within the manual. Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AidanT Posted April 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2018 Does anyone know what size and length of bolt i would need? Aidan Colin. I have also read that it can be mounted via the side engine mount but I assume a plate would need to be made to fit it? Do you know if anyone has a design or old one they would like to sell? Aidan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted April 4, 2018 Report Share Posted April 4, 2018 Discussion on Sideways Suggest you search for "engine stand" John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AidanT Posted April 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2018 Thanks John. Seems pretty simple to make an offset plate so the engine weight is better balanced Aidan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Posted April 4, 2018 Report Share Posted April 4, 2018 I was advised against bolting to the engine plate due to potential distortion - it is a heavy block. I bolted direct to the block but to be honest was never happy or confident whilst it was on. By the time you get the arms in a position to line up with the bock threads there was very little spread of the arms and certainly not even. I have a stand that rotates but once on didn't want to move it. In future if I need the block out and unless I needed to get to the sump again I'd drop it onto a wheel dolly which fitted perfectly. I know some members have a spare engine plate specifically for this purpose. Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted April 4, 2018 Report Share Posted April 4, 2018 I use a spare rear enegine plate, 'improved' by having the central hole expanded so that it's possible to get at the rear crankshaft seal housing bolts while its still on the stand, and being painted red so I'll never forget to take it off! See below, where it's off the stand, on and engine that's on a hoist. You can see the rim holes tht I use for the stand bolts, at 2, 5, 7, and 10 o'clock. The plate attaches to the block by seven bolts, nearly twice as many as the stand has, so more secure and less stress on the block. If you don't have a spare plate, make one! A sheet of steel (or aluminium) could cost less than £20, use the actual engine plate as a pattern, mark out and drill the new one. Voila! JOhn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted April 5, 2018 Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 This is the only photograph that I was able to find on my 1200 engine on the stand, just after all the blockwork was completed but before I started on the head. It's just held on with threaded rods from B&Q cut to size, large washers, and nuts, through the backplate as shown. I did go for holes as close to the block as possible to avoid distortion that may have occurred with some of the more distant ones. Not the best solution in light of the proper method but the engine was held solidly enough and rotated with no difficulty. I did the same with the GT6 engine when it was rebuilt, and again no problems detected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted April 5, 2018 Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 Hello All This how I did mine! Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AidanT Posted April 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 Thanks all very useful. Just need to buy one plus a block and tackle to lift the engine. (No crane but have a great thick wood beam in the garage!) Sorry should have added can you advise on what kind of dimensions the plate should be? Thx Aidan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted April 5, 2018 Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 5 hours ago, rogerguzzi said: Hello All This how I did mine! Roger That's nice! Seems more... balanced... than my method. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AidanT Posted May 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2018 Hi Just a quick update - my engine is now on its stand. Thanks Colin for the advice to look on sideways I have copied one from there The engine is nice and stable with the stand on the side Also a big thanks to Adrian who has allowed me to borrow his crane and stand for the medium term Aidan This is the one I copied Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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