Q about putting RB26 on an engine stand

[enginerd]

I've finally managed to get my engine torn down somewhat and I'm ready to put it on the engine stand. I just want to make sure I'm attaching it to the stand safely so I don't have to worry about damaging anything, including myself. I read on the Australian Skyline boards that people recommended bolting the engine stand to the motor using the transmission bolt holes. I was only able to get the top two holes to bolt onto the engine stand plate. So if you look at the picture, the bottom two blue stand arms are not actually bolted to the engine.Let me know what you think.

[enginerd]

This pic shows how the bottom blue arms are tucked into cavities to help support the weight.

[themadscientist]

should be ok, just don't let fat chicks sit on it.

[gawdzilla]

looks kinda dangerous IMO. where are the arms for your stand on the top?? your stand should have come w/ 2 more arms for the top so it can span much further than that.

what grade bolts are you using? make sure you are using some automotive grade stuff, and not your local home depot fastener.

mine is set up on a stand right now the exact same way as yours, except my lower arms can reach into the corners because my stand has 4 arms in total. part of the reason you want to put it on the stand is so you can flip the motor upside down to work on the pan,take out mains, whatever. with the way you have it, i definitely wouldnt try to flip it upside down.

maybe look into buying a different stand that has all 4 arms.. they're only like $30..

[themadscientist]

oh. I see what you are talking about now, you are right, kind of scary. I thought he had four bolts into the block.

[Nameless EJ6]

I have mine bolted on all 4. Holds just fine.. make sure you have all 4 in though.. because taht really isn't safe...

[JonPowell]

Change the positon of the lower arms, put them to the bolt holes right next to it. My engine stand will actually fit OVER the sleeve right next to where the arm is inside the cavity.

GET 2 MORE BOLTS IN THAT BABY!!!

[s14 2510's]

I had my engine on one of those el cheapo stands a few years back when I started my swap. It had 4 bolts in it but the length and the weight bent the main tube of the stand and the engine was slowly tilting down. I have a good stand now so things are all good. Hopefully in a few months I wont have to look at my rb26 on the stand again. I should have all my lower end work done. I cant wait to break it in!

[enginerd]

I used Grade 8.8 bolts for the top two. I couldn't find similar grade bolts that were long enough to fit through the engine stand arms which is why I didn't use them for the top two bolts. I didn't even think about the fact I'll need to rotate the engine. That bolt up job is the result of working in a garage in 96 degree heat and 100% humidty. Gotta love Texas weather. Wehn I got the motor on the stand, something just didn't feel right, which is why I'm glad I posted here. The engine is still being supported by the engine hoist so I'll go search a little harder and find the correct length bolts to support it proper. Thanks guys for the input.

[gawdzilla]

i got my bolts at advance auto. ask to walk into the back and browse their bolt section. i forget wht the size was... M10 or 12 x 1.5... anyway you should know the size. they have all sorts of lengths all the way to 110mm i think. they are heavy duty automotive grade bolts. get some good washers to keep the bolts from pulling through the arms too.

it's already scary enough seeing the motor bounce slightly up and down when i'm wrenching on the front side... it gets pretty heavy once all the accessories go on. stress wise i think the bolts are fine. i imagine each being able to hold 600 lbs easy in a stress tester. just good to have that sense of security w/ the engine properly seated.
Modified by gawdzilla at 9:49 AM 6/21/2005

[Nameless EJ6]

After looking at the pics again, I'm wondering why you don't have the top arms on there.

If you hold the engine up on the hoist, pull out the plate from the stand and bolt it on, then put the stand on - you'll be much better off.

Mine has all 4 arms bolted on. I'll try to snap a picture..

[enginerd]

I've got everything taken care of now, though I don't have any pics. Thanks everyone for the help.

I found some M10x1.50 70mm bolts at Home Depot with an 8.8 class, which should suffice. I originally didn't use the top arms because I couldn't get all four arms to match up. I took Nameless EJ6's recommendation and attached the arms and plate to the motor and then connected it to the stand. This was definitely the easier route.

Again, thanks everyone for the assistance. I hope to have everything torn down completely by the end of the week so that I can start sending stuff out to get cleaned and machined.

[Nameless EJ6]

Good to hear. Keep us updated as you tear into it.

[gawdzilla]

nice. yea definitely easier to put the plate w/ 4 arms on while the motor is in the air. then raising the stand into the motor so the stand is partially in the air. then drop the stand, motor, arm/backing together smooooothly.