Which bolt holes do you guys use to hang engine on stand

[Dave27]

Putting my 1950 8BA on a standard engine stand tonight. I was just wondering or does it matter which holes I use to mount the 4 arms to on the back of the block. I have allways used on chevies the top highest 2 bolt holes and the lower right and left holes. On a ford though I was wondering is it better to use the highest 4 on the back of the block or do it like I do a chevy....Thankyou in advance.....Dave

[Karl Wolf]

As far apart as you can get them, high and low. Leverage.

Karl

[Dave27]

Makes sense now that I think about it...Thankyou for the info.

[Kube]

I can't speak for the post '48 blocks but can assure you that the '32 - '48 blocks should NEVER be attached to a stand at the bell housing. Only the exhaust manifold (tapped holes) should be used for these years.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by Kube

I can't speak for the post '48 blocks but can assure you that the '32 - '48 blocks should NEVER be attached to a stand at the bell housing. Only the exhaust manifold (tapped holes) should be used for these years.

2X here

[lonewolf]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by Kube

I can't speak for the post '48 blocks but can assure you that the '32 - '48 blocks should NEVER be attached to a stand at the bell housing. Only the exhaust manifold (tapped holes) should be used for these years.

Old wives tale

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by lonewolf

Old wives tale

Afraid not lonewolf, need to talk to the folks with broken blocks! Might want to talk to Ford also, ever notice how they mounted them? I have a 48 block that broken this way and have heard of other that have broken them. It doesn't happen every day and a lot of people have gotten away with it. But one look at the back of a 59a or earlier block should show you this is not a good idea! 8ba, never heard of a problem with how they are mounted. In my world good blocks are worth two much to screw-up doing something foolish.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by lonewolf

Old wives tale

really? I have seen first hand blocks that have broken and fallen away from the bell housing. Also, why do you think KR Wilson made stands specifically designed for the Ford flathead that attached to the exhaust manifold area? Because it was fun for them? Perhaps they wanted to be different?

[42merc]

When I do the 8BA's I use the lower two bolts each side.
Balances nicely & rotates easily.

[GOSFAST]

Originally Posted by Dave27

Putting my 1950 8BA on a standard engine stand tonight. I was just wondering or does it matter which holes I use to mount the 4 arms to on the back of the block. I have allways used on chevies the top highest 2 bolt holes and the lower right and left holes. On a ford though I was wondering is it better to use the highest 4 on the back of the block or do it like I do a chevy....Thankyou in advance.....Dave

Hi Dave, here's another 8BA started on today for recon. Photo below shows the stand backed bolted in position ready to lift!

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. I don't do as many 59's but would hang those another way, as mentioned above. We have 2 "arms" which bolt to the exhaust bolts. Probably still the best way for mounting with these type blocks?

[Pete]

"Might want to talk to Ford also, ever notice how they mounted them? "

That was so they could COMPLETELY assemble the engine without taking it off the stand.

If you mount it by the bell housing, you must make sure there are no cracks anywhere. The block should have been maganafluxed before this anyway.

Over the years and many engines I have seen and built, I have only seen 2 that broke off the engine stand. BOTH OF THESE had rusty cracks in the broken areas
indicating long term previous cracks.

I hang my early type blocks by the bell housing.

[JSeery]

I (somewhat) agree, a lot of people have hung them from the bellhousings without a problem. I'm an engineer and just looking at the thingness of the metal in that area it doesn't look like something I would want to do. The current block I have was broken that way and it didn't have any rust cracks, but again a lot of people have done it for years, I'm just not going to be one of them.

[Kube]

The age old arguement that "a lot of people have done it over the years" is in itself nonsensical. A lot of folks have done a lot of things throughout history. Many have gotten away with it... that does not mean it was smart... it just means they got away with it.

[chap52]

Why keep the bellhousing on at all? Easier to clean up without it and while you have it out you are certainly going to check out the clutch, flywheel and pressure plate by removing them aren't you? Just a thought.

[TonyM]

Originally Posted by chap52

Why keep the bellhousing on at all? Easier to clean up without it and while you have it out you are certainly going to check out the clutch, flywheel and pressure plate by removing them aren't you? Just a thought.

On 1932 thru 1948, the bell housing is cast into the block and on these early engines the bell housing is not removable. That is what they are talking about.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by chap52

Why keep the bellhousing on at all? Easier to clean up without it and while you have it out you are certainly going to check out the clutch, flywheel and pressure plate by removing them aren't you? Just a thought.

There is no issue with mounting the 8ba blocks from the back of the block (that I'm aware of) it is the 59a and earlier blocks with the integral bellhousing. To me on the 59a it is the leverage that is added by the bellhousing moving the weight of the block forward and how thin the casting is in that area of the block.

There are people who do not see this as a problem and they are never going to be convinced otherwise. This topic comes up over and over with the same arguments. So, guess you need to decide what makes sense to you and go that route. I fab'ed my own side mount and I'm much happier with how it supports the block.

[GreenMonster48]

To the orignal poster, before this thread turns into a typical Ford Barn sandbox fight,

When mounting to a typical engine stand, small block Chevy head bolts come in handy for the mounting bolts. Right length, thread, and they're hardened.

[42merc]

Originally Posted by GreenMonster48

To the orignal poster, before this thread turns into a typical Ford Barn sandbox fight,

When mounting to a typical engine stand, small block Chevy head bolts come in handy for the mounting bolts. Right length, thread, and they're hardened.

This is what I also use.

[Ronnie]

Here it goes again.

[flatford8]

I've seen the mounting plates that go on the exhaust manifold bolts and adapt to your engine stand. Can you hang a complete engine from those (6) bolts?....MARK