does anyone have reccomendations for where/what engine cradle to usefor a 383? Ive never used one and dont know anything about them. Id prefer one w casters but could add those if i had to. Thanks!
You do not want to store an engine on an engine stand, engine stands should only be use for temporary holding the engine while servicing it. If you use an engine stand to store an engine put a board under the front to help carry the weight.
Can you elaborate on that please? I am currently storing (for long term) a 440 on a good engine stand, 4 bolts on the bell housing yadda. No front support.
I've never heard of your caution before but I certainly do not want to mess up my engine. What is the reason(s) for your concern?
The flanges were not designed to hold the weight of an engine, my engine builder told me they have been known to crack or break. Personally I do not trust all that weight bobbing around on the engine stand.
Alan
Understand thank you. I thought with a cradle I might be able to see if it will run before I put it in.What you are probably looking for is an engine stand. It has adjustable arms that bolt to the holes in the back of the engine that the transmission or bellhousing bolt to.
The stand has casters. The stand also has a pivot shaft that allows the engine to be turned after it has been mounted to the stand. Most auto parts outlets sell them. I would recommend that you by the heaviest duty unit you can find as the 383 and 440 engines tip the scales at about 750lbs fully assembled. The cheap units sold at Harbor freight are not up to the task of dealing with these engines. There is such a thing as an engine cradle, but I would not buy one myself as an oversized creeper is not good for much except to move an engine around a shop.
Dave
May try to do something like thatHere is one I made for a straight 8.
View attachment 137588
Doesn't look like a single weld failed to me... I've had a dressed RV 440 on a stand for many years... I worried about if for a while, but have never seen a sign of any welds failing.
Very misleading! The picture doesn't tell the story of how the engine ended up in that position. The wooden blocks on top of the engine do. A device, probably the lift in the picture, was used to push down on top of the engine until the stand collapsed to that angle. Even the cheapo Harbor Freight engine stands will hold a big block engine up for years.