Hi guys. I bought an engine cradle some time ago for my Ford V8 flattie. Now that the engine is finished and on the ch***is, I have no use for it. It bolts directly to the exhaust on both sides of engine. If anyone REALLY needs it, I'll p*** it on at no charge except for shipping cost. Send me a PM. Patrick
That is a cool device, it probably won't happen but if the guys ahead of me don't take it for some crazy reason, I will. Thanks
I have one just like it. Boy you must not have driven too many flatheads.... The cradle is going to be full again before you know it. Bruce, i bought mine on ebay and added the casters. works slick!
You are a generous man.......you'll need that again if & when you ever have to pull your motor........I've had my motor out 3 times in the last 5 years......I think I'll keep my stand..... Brucie
Ernie, it's VERY simple. 2 pieces of flat stock - 3/16" to 1/4" x 6" wide, a "tad" longer than one of the exhaust manifolds. 2 pieces 2" x 2" square tube - I used .125 wall so I didn't need the diagonal braces - about 13" long, cut 90 deg. one end and 45 deg. on the other. (matches the 45 deg angle for the exhaust ports) 2 pieces 2" x 2" square x 24" tube - again .125 wall - for the base tubes. 4 pieces 1/4" plate cut 4" x 4" - or what ever size the top plate of your casters measures. And drilled to suit. Then trim the lower corners of the side plates at about a 45 deg. angle - you'll see why when you hold them in position. Next, using an old exhaust manifold; clamp it close to the top of the side plates (angles facing down) and using transfer punches, mark the position of the exhaust port bolt holes. Because there is a left and right side; I drilled the holes over sized AND FOUR holes at the center. (front block bolts are 7/16", center and rear are 3/8") I drilled them all 1/2". That way the cradle sides can be used on either side of the engine. BTW - that's why I used 6" wide side plates. It allows room for the four center holes. The vertical tubes are welded at the bottom of the side plates. 1/2 hour of welding; a stop by my powder coater, bolt on the casters, and "Bobs your Uncle!!" I now have THREE of them! Great for storing a complete engine, or short blocks, and they roll around easy! Especially for storing engines under the bench. Look clean too! Working on a design that will allow the engine to be rotated "end to end" - even upside down - while sitting in the cradle. Beats standing at a regular engine stand!
Sorry Guys, PRIMO was the first to PM me, so he gets first shot at it. I look to see if I can find the guy that made it; he had a store on EPay...name was Stumpy or Stuffy or something like that. He was making these (and many more models) in his home shop. Had I given it some more thought, I could have made it an auction item to benefit the HAMB/Jal Journal charity d'jour. Patrick PS: It will also support an engine w/****** attached!
to all that made the comments about needing it again due to not driving a flattie for very long . yep you are right !! im new to hamb but i have at present three effies the latest is my 53 powered by one of these gorgeous powerplants. it sat for darn near a quarter of a century before i got it and replaced some bent valves and some other odd stuff . now it is my daily transportation and is always doin'something goofy . but i wouldn't trade it for any new truck period !!!! thanks for posting the materials and dimensions of the cradle i'm sure i'll be building one
DANG! I stopped working last night about 3 am and sat down for a minute.......looked over at my engines and thought, "Man, I need to build a couple of stands....." haha, that's the way it works..... how's it going on the venus? like a few have said, you'd better hang on to that...flatheads are addictive...
Well Youngin' sorry I didn't contact you first...but your engine sounded so nice on that video, I thought you just wouldn't need it! Actually, the cradle is good for rolling an engine around on the garage/shop floor (and storage), but if my engine ever needs to come back out, it will be going on an engine stand, not a cradle. Patrick
Ebay link is gone in above post... anyone have a picture of this setup. Also where can I buy one at a reasonable price? I need to get the flathead mobile as it's in the way.
I use furniture dollys from HF and add a plywood box to fit whatever engine. They were 15 but are now 20 I think.
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