Who makes the best flathead engine stands?

I'm looking into getting one to hold a 59AB motor i might be picking up soon
I prefer one that has wheels to roll it around, any info/advise would help?
I think Tardel makes one, but anyone else in Calif?
thanks in advance,
CAB

 

steve, are you looking for one that will basically hold an engine just to move around? or one that you can use to work on engine? i bought a side mount from a fellow on e bay a while back. stumphys metal works i think was his name. $60.00. mounts to a regular 2 3/8 engine stand..

 

Probably not the best, but it looks pretty cool. Joe Abbin even has one!

 

I wouldn't trust that thing...It has weak points

 

I have one from Obsolete Ford Parts?... The one on Rosemead in San Gabriel?

It's a solid piece...

To be honest, I don't think anybody makes the best flathead engine stand adapter yet... They all have their drawbacks...

KR Wilson Tools makes a heavy duty engine stand specifically for the flathead from the ground up... That's probably the best one so far... But it's rare and pricey...

 

It is not so hard building your own, I just found some pieces under my workbench and baked it together.

 

Mean lean, that looks pretty clean
I figure the best one was one that was made on yer own, just wasn't sure.
Is side mount the best way to hold these engines up while working on them?

thanks for all the info guys!

 

I think it is more stable than if you try to hang it on the half bellhouse. I do not know if the bellhouse is strong enough to hang it on. It works pretty good, is easy to rotate.

 

Is there someone on the Hamb here that makes these side mounts and sells them?

 

Doesn't Tardel make one?

 

59AB series- Don't trust the bell to hold it out horizontally. You may be one of the flathead owner who come out to find their engine laying on the ground with a snap bell and junk motor. If you dare to mount it from the rear bell, stick a 2X4 under the front to help support the weight.

8BA- No problem what so ever.

 

I have an Antique Auto one as well. Works great. Port and polish first because once it is mounted, you can't access those sides exhaust ports.

 

Once again VERY easy to build your own head/mount for use with a typical engine stand. Recently I spent $21 on metal and a couple hours of screwing around to build mine. You must have access to a drill press and welder? I had the guy at the metal shop cut the angle on the tube when I purchased it. Building your own is MUCH more satisfying than buying one. These side mount heads work GREAT, very easy to rotate the engine by yourself.

 

Steve i used Vern's exhaust mounted plate & adapted it to my stand, as mentioned the old KR Wilson was the best available & that mounted via the exhaust flange so i guess it must be the best option.

Original type.....

Here's the plate from Vern, it doesn't come with the large hole i did that so i could weld
the tube from both sides.....



Added these for extra strength too.......





Still stirdy with some goodies thrown on.


Kev.

 

Thanks for all the info and pics kev! looks like that works like a charm
sweet motor by the way...awesome.
Cheers mate and i'll give Dave a hug for ya when i see him
peace†
cab

 

There is a guy named Stumpy Fabrication Works that make all kinds of engine cradles and the side mnount for the early flathhead. Her sells on ebay, had an ad running currently under Y block.

Here's his web site www.stumpysfabworks.zoomshare.com/

 

I know it's not an engine stand but I fabricated this dolly so I could at least push my 8CM around before putting it up on a stand. On of these days I'll get around to welding some studs on the two posts to keep it from sliding around when you hit a crack in the floor!

 

I've never had a problem with the reg.engine stand.
Space the ears evenly and use the correct bolts.(no huge stack of washers)
Been doing it for years.
All I have had is 59AB,got one on a stand in the garage now.

 

Ive used regular engine stand with early flatheads too, not fully dressed admittedly (the engine,i keep my shorts on!)
but for teardown and assembly to long block stage, no probs. i should get around to making the exhaust flange one, looks like it would be easier to rotate.

 

Just built a quickie one for a customer. The casters disapointed me until I 75w90'd them.

 

Conceptfab and Pinewood,
Great lookin stands and thanks for sharing them here on this thread!
Paul,
thanks for the info as well

you guys all rock.

I agree with the exhaust flange one, that would be easier to rotate, i'm leaning more in that direction now.

peace†

 

The KRW way is the best way for flatheads. Those engine stands were designed in the T days and new adapters designed for each new series of flathead (4,6,8) Ford engines that came along. I've never seen but have been told that adapters were also made for the OHV Y-block engines that mounted to the tail of the engines ala modern stands.

 

At the risk of hijacking this thread, I have a '49 Olds rocket that I may be doing in the future. It also has an extended bellhousing like an early flathead, but (obviously) no exhaust ports for a side mount. The extended bell seems awfully long, and I think it would be prone to breaking just like an early flathead. These were heavy motors. Does anyone know if there is a way to mount them on a stand without overly stressing the extended bell?

 

Red's Headers sells a pretty kool one, but you'll have to weld casters on it.