Attaching engine to engine stand

[llessur]

I haven't finished removing the engine from my 2500 yet so this is a bit preemptive but what's the best way of securing it to an engine stand? Presumably the existing bellhousing bolts will be too short and I'll need to source some longer high tensile ones? Any other tips? Can I just mount using any of the bellhousing bolt holes without running the risk of the weight of the 6 cylinder bending/stripping anything?

[thescrapman]

best bet for a 2.5 is to make a plate that bolts to the drivers side engine mount casting (obviously not used on a big saloon)

i cut one from an old backplate that had got bent after being used a few times to mount them longways.

[JohnD]

This isn't a new topic, llessur, if you search on here you'll find other thread(s) and pics.

The side mount needs to be offset from the engine mount to balance - Nick has a pattern. 

 

  I use an old back plate, as that means the block is supported on ALL the usual bolts, not just four, and the old plate can be drilled out to take bigger bolts to the stand.  You can see the drilled out holes by the worn paint!    Painted red to ensure I never fit it on an engine!