I needed an engine stand for a Pontiac straight eight that I am building and didn't feel a standard engine stand would hold it up without sagging too much. I decided to build one that would be stout enough to hold the weight. Finding a $50 hoist that had bent legs and no ram, I straightened the legs with a floor jack and chain and turned it into an engine stand. The hoist is still functional when the engine head is removed. The DOM tubing, 2-1/2" x 1/8" and 2-1/4" x 1/4", was $1.25 a pound at the metal surplus outlet. I cut the 2-1/2" at 12inches and the 2-1/4" at 18inches. Cutting the 2-1/2" hole in the stand with the diamond cutter was a major chore. I used an engine stand head from a harbor freight stand. The head inside diameter was just over 2-1/4" so the DOM 2-1/4" x 1/4" fit inside and I welded them together. I'm not much of a welder but it's strong and it works. A 12" x 16" x 1/2" plate was bolted to the back of the engine and the head was bolted to the plate. I intended to use a hanging turnbuckle at the front of the engine for extra support but it doesn't seem to be needed.
Very nice job ! My one suggestion would be to add a support like I did on my engine stands. It needs to be low enough to rotate an engine when needed and extendable for support when it just sitting long term. I used an adjustable foot from an old washing machine for the fine adjustment on top of the support. I just never liked the idea of an engine hanging from only the bellhousing bolts.
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