Hot Rods Engine stand

Can I use a heavy duty engine stand to rebuild a 41 Flathead v 8 or is that too much stress on the bell housing

 

@Mart hangs his engines from the side via the exhaust port bolt holes via a custom mount.

 

If I remember correctly, the Ford shop engine stands would bolt into the exhaust port bolt holes like Johnny Gee mentioned- might be worth making a custom mount like Mart

 

Was trying to find a photo from Mart and found that the adapter is available from a few sources online.

 

I have seen the bell housing crack/fail when the early engines are supported only there. The later engines seem to better tolerate that method.

 

anything with an extended bell does not like to be supported by the bell. The later engines the bell is right up against the block and is harder to stress.

Most engine stands that are flathead specific support the engine on the side at the exhaust port.

 

Stumpy's Fabworks
https://www.stumpysfabworks.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

 

It only takes a few minutes and a welder to convert a regular engine stand to an exhaust flange side mount stand.

I bought a foot or two of heavy wall tubing the same size as the head that came with my $35 ( probably $135 now) engine stand from a local weld/ fab shop, for $8.00.

Bologna cut it at 45 degrees and weld it to a length of 3” or 4” angle iron.

Use your exhaust manifold as a template for mounting bolts, and drill them before welding the angle to the pipe.

I think it took longer to drive to the welding /fab shop than to cut, drill, and weld the adapter.

Prior to this I used the bellhousing to mount the engine, but nearly had a heart attack every time I inadvertently bumped the old flathead suspended in the air by that fragile casting.

 

Any flathead prior to the 8BA should be supported with a flange that bolts to the exhaust ports.

 

Hell just cut a 2 x 4 the correct length when you put the motor on the stand and put it between the stand frame and the crank snout to help support the weight. Thats all I did and built my 50 flathead on an HD engine stand with no issues.

 

This is the best picture I have of the adapter. It bolts to the exhaust manifold holes in the block.

 

That’s a good idea. I do the same thing with my BBF’s that weigh in at around 700 lbs. mine isn’t as elaborate, a bottle jack and a couple blocks of wood.