Amateur in need of help! (engine stand)

[hotshot991]

Hi guys!
My name is Jacob I am 19 and new to the forum. Ever since I was little I have always loved muscle cars and have a severe passion for anything mopar! So I am very much looking forward to being apart of the forum but I acquired a 72 cuda about 2 weeks ago that I am looking to build up over time. The original 340 was blown in the mid 80s and has a 318 in it right now, I pulled it yesterday and have it on my back porch now on a slab of plywood. I am looking to rebuild the 318 for the time being but I am kinda confused about mounting the block to the mount plate on the stand.....I understand where the legs "should" be attached but wanted to ask you guys for advice?? the bell housing bolts are 5/16-16 and the 2 holes that are at the bottom of the housing look to be about 3/8 but my main question is that where the legs should attach to at the bottom under the plugs are not threaded they are just holes.......haha yeah I know I will get that so you are going to rebuild the engine yet you cant even mount it to the stand??? I am just wondering from you guys what would be the best way to mount it mostly pertaining to those bottom bell housing holes??? just thread the bolt through the plate,legs,block then lock it down with a nut?? I really appreciate the help guys and love to be a part of this awesome forum!

yes yes yes I understand my cuda isn't an A body but its my Cuda! its my Mopar! and its now my baby!:cheers: rayer:Thanks guys!-Jake

 

[72ScampTramp]

Use a quality graded bolt. Atleast a grade 5. And yes run a bolt though them and use a nut and appropriate washers

 

[72ScampTramp]

Oh and best to get the stand where you intend to work on engine they don't move so well on the stands

 

[hotshot991]

72scampTramp,

Ok thank you so much bud! I will get grade 5 bolts or 8 if they are in stock at my local store but thanks again I know this is pretty straight forward but truthfully I just have never seen them on a stand bolted through those holes....but now I know! thanks again bud!

 

[Bad Sport]

Get some washers too, you will need them. I put them under the bolt heads, and you'll want them under the nuts for the bottom holes.

 

[dano]

I attach the stand head/pivot to the motor first, grease the pivot, then when the engine is in the air, pick up the rolling floor potion onto the pivot and lock it, then set it all down carefully. This avoids breaking the block in the bolt on ear locations. As I recall the bottoms holes are larger than the transmission threaded mounting locations. Ditto on washers and I also use lock washer where I nut the bottom. Just but Grade 8. Grade 5 works but I usually plan for the worst.

 

[krazykuda]

I sometimes use the other bolt holes that I show in yellow.

If you use the bottom ones, then get one step longer bolts with nuts and washers as those holes are not threaded.


Chase the bolt holes with a 3/8" x 16 tap before installing the bolts, it will clean out any rust and crud from the threads and you will get a better grip on the block...

Mount the legs of the spider first and then center the plate in the middle, then finish torque the bolts on the mounting bracket before mounting the engine on the stand.

It is a good idea to use washers on the long bolts that hold the engine to the mounting bracket legs...

 

[A body]

...and take the flex plate off before mounting the stand plate.