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Hi everyone. I wish to mount my 230 onto an engine stand. There are large mounting holes to put bolts through on the lower part of the block where the tranny iwas installed but only two much smaller holes above the crank flange where the bellhousing was installed. Any opinions about whether or not those two holes would be strong enough in conjunction with the two lower holes? I'm kinda paranoid about the block coming off the stand. I've mounted a Chevy small block before but it had very substantial threaded holes.
Greencom

You can't safely use the engine stands that are commonly available these days. The M37 block is too long and too heavy for them. What you need is an engine stand that supports the engine at both ends. Back when our trucks were new, such stands were readily available. Used ones are still out there somewhere, but I haven't seen a new one in years.

Hi Lifer, yes I agree. I'm working on cobbling together a double supporting stand. The engine front does not lend itself to support very well. The best way seems to be doing it like the manual and bolting the block bottom flange to a frame sans the oil pan. Thanks for the reply.
Greencom

For what its worth I used the top two threaded holes behind the cylinders and the bottom two thru holes above the oil pan lip casting on my four wheel single engine stand. I have supported long 6 cylinders and both Mopar and Chevy big blocks v8's with my $79.00 engine stand. I always place a pallet with a tire underneath just incase something decides to break it may cushion the fall(silly, I know..thats like saying a pillow will cushion a jump off a building LOL.). I have always made sure not to roll it about the garage and get the block bouncing. I would agree a doulbe tier stand would be much safer. Dont short cut if you dont feel right about it . My two cents.

David, we seem to be of similar mind about things falling, thanks for the thought.
Greencom

I've used both the 'standard' engine stand and a universal from Northern Tools. The standard is meant for chevy type engines. The universal has adjustable legs to set under the mounting flanges. There is no provision for bolting the engine to the stand however. It does come with a ratchet strap to keep the engine from shifting. It isn't meant to be used as running engine stand or as a rebuilt stand. It appears to be more of a cart to push the engine around.

Northern doesn't seem to carry them at the moment. Here is a link from another vendor that appears to sell the same item.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Engin ... t37000.htm

I put my engine together with a universal stand from Northern (click below)

http://news.webshots.com/photo/10294269 ... siipKRkfzA

I've got my 230 bare block on a conventional engine stand now, but it is a very heavy duty one - should be good for 1000lbs.