How do you position your engine on the engine stand?
Here is a picture of mine. The block is bare and the heads are bare. This thing is so top heavy, I can't rotate it without it flipping upside down. I put the heads on for storage.
Will this setup work once the block is complete?
Any suggestions are welcomed. I am too old to arm wrestle the Hulk.

I bought a el cheepo engine stand and it does the same thing with my 440. Block, crank, rods and pistons and cam are about all it can stand. Before I put heads on I use the engine hoist to support the front of the engine. It does make it a PITA to turn engine over. I also drilled holes in the tube to pin the engine with each deck "up". Still a PITA.

Brian

The last 340 I built flipped around on me and pinched my finger between one of the bars and the rear plate. I was lucky not to lose a finger. I decided to buy a gear drive engine stand to put my Hemi together. I bought one from Summit.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-908300GA/

I was hoping to reposition the mount to get closer to the center of gravity.
It looks like the CG is closer to the cam, that will require me to rotate the mounting plate 180 deg and use the mounting holes on the block at 9 & 3 o'clock.

You've got it as good as it will get with a standard stand

You need to lower the engine down a couple of inches, especially if you have cast iron heads. You can get new links made to move the engine into the correct location or else drill new holes in the plate.

I built my own stand for big block motors. This one is really well balanced with aluminum heads. I can rotate a complete engine without having any heavy spots. It did take a little bit of calculating though to get the design correct. Usually the center of the engine stand pivot needs to run in line with the camshaft to get the balance right.

Here is a stand that I made for small block motors. It is also balanced for engines with aluminum heads. With cast iron heads it will be a little top heavy but nothing that I can't handle. With aluminum heads I can rotate it with one hand.

Andy & All,
Thanks for the advise.
Andy.
Does your lock pin go completely through the shaft and head stock? What size pin did you use?

Andy,
What are your thoughts on using the bell housing bolt holes at the 9 & 3 o'clock positions? I am not feeling good about using them.

Need to use the upper bolt holes for sure, yup the cheaper stands are made for SB chevys it seems.
Like Andy, I built my own stand in welding shop in hi school my senior year off of plans we had at school. I had no idea it would turn out to be such a good stand 30 years later. I have had many different engines on this stand including International gas truck engines which make hemis appear small.
I think OTC makes some decent stands if you don't want to either build one or have one built.


It's a little taller than factory made ones which helps since I'm 6'3".

And I know the difference because when I'm busy I have to use this store bought stand which I would never hang a hemi on.

Mine is similar to this one, but is not fold-able and is suppose to be rated at 2000 lbs. I believe the Chinese pound may be less than the American pound, but it is just a theory.