stabilizing an engine on wood blocks in shop

RickB · January 04, 2010, 04:04:07 PM

I got my 8V92 propped on both ends with 2X6's but it's pretty tippy. Can I use a jack against the oil cooler and the starter as side stabilizers? I have to admit moving this thing scares the crap out of me!

Got it in my brother in law's heated shop, can't wait to get to work on it.

Rick

luvrbus · January 04, 2010, 04:52:03 PM

Not a good idea Rick make a stand out of 4 in channel takes 14 ft min be safe use it for your 8v92 then use on your 71 to store it or shipment

good luck

grantgoold · January 04, 2010, 05:05:46 PM

If you have a maintenance manual or parts book for the 9 you should also have the blueprint for an engine cradle. If not someone should be able to scan it for you or perhaps even MCI can send you a PDF.

Seemed pretty simple with some steel plate, casters and a good welder.

Grant

luvrbus · January 04, 2010, 05:09:30 PM

I am not talking dolly here Rick just a simple stand for a Detroit

good luck

HB of CJ · January 04, 2010, 06:57:42 PM

grantgoold has it perfectly correct. These mills are just too big and heavy to leave around just setting on wood blocks. Like already said, DD shop manuals include the blueprints/sketches for making a steel wheel dolly frame that lets the engine sit on the block/pan.

We made our own years ago when putting 353 and 453 DD's into Ford 1-ton flatbed farm trucks. The engine stand just looked like an ordinary automotive gas car engine model only it was about five times as big and heavy. Rotated tooos. Good luck. HB of CJ (old coot)

luvrbus · January 04, 2010, 07:14:37 PM

No HB Grant is talking about a dolly to roll the engine out using the drawing from MCI that is all it is good for the oil pan sets down into it and the engine rests on the block and oil pan bolts.
A good rotating engine stand heavy enough to handle a 8v92 cost in the neighborhood of 10 grand installed fwiw i just priced one.
Rick can build a stand for the engine for around a 100 bucks

good luck

JohnEd · January 04, 2010, 08:13:07 PM

I dropped an engine once. Tiped over the 3 legged stand. Thing that amazed me was that it seemed to fall so slowly. Had I been the very slightest bit quicker I could gotten a leg in front of it so I would have had better leverage AND LOST MY LEG. Instincts will sometimes KILL you. Get hot on that stand/cradle/rack/??? Just get it done my friend.

John not limping

Iver · January 05, 2010, 12:36:33 AM

This is the dolly I built using the blueprints in the MCI manual. The only change I made was to separate the top half which supports the oil pan bolts so I could remove it and use the dolly for something else if needed. Also added the extra wheels for support. Not too expensive to build if you have a source for the steel.
Iver.

gumpy · January 05, 2010, 04:52:23 AM

Rick,

Discount Steel in Minneapolis is the place to buy steel if you need it. They're off 94 on Washington, I think. Just north of Broadway.

Let me know if you need any help with this.

Craig

JackConrad · January 05, 2010, 05:14:33 AM

If the stand is simply for storage and not working on the engine, here is what I madeout of a few pieces of 2X10 (front view). Jack

JackConrad · January 05, 2010, 05:18:16 AM

If the stand is simply for storage and not working on the engine, here is what I made out of a few pieces of 2X10 (rear view). Jack

Paso One · January 05, 2010, 05:40:10 AM

When I removed my 6V71 I lowered it onto a double pallet the longer pallet gave it the support and the lower pallet allowed me to move it around the shop on a simple pallet jack.

I have both the donor engine and the replacement engine sitting that way in the shop right now.

RickB · January 05, 2010, 06:01:50 AM

Iver
Do you have a way of copying and sending those blueprints for the stand if you still have them?
Craig
Thanks for the offer and if curt from central diesel doesn't have one already built that works for my motor I'll take you up on it. He said he has 3 or 4 already built.
Hope one of them fits.
Thanks for the input guys I will try and be safe
Rick

RickB · January 05, 2010, 07:28:18 AM

My mechanic has a stand and he will let me use it to get the motor ready to start and then we'll transfer it to him on the stand.

Thanks for keeping me from getting a much smaller shoe size guys

Van · January 05, 2010, 07:39:56 AM

Rick this is the best shot of the one I borrowed from Gary at BB coach,It is expand able to allow for an 6V or an 8V to be cradled, bottle jacks at both ends to lift the engine off the rails.Goor luck