26 replies to this topic

[babsbrown]

Morning guys

Just a quick question. I'm nearing the point were I will be putting my gear box on the engine soon.

I'm worried that my engine stand and frame won't be strong enough.

What's everyone's thoughts? It's a 450kg capacity stand. And attached on the two alternator mounting holes and one oil filter mounting hole.

I'm using the supplied plate which I've had to use spacers for due to the block not been flat.

Cheers

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[DeadSquare]

A Mini engine and gearbox is about 150 Kg, so you have around a 200% safety factor.

[stuart bowes]

I know what you mean though when I was bolting mine one and craning it into place I definitely felt like.. are you sure about this.. but it hasn't fallen off yet and it's been on there a few years now

 

obviously as you start stripping it down it gets lighter but still exercise caution I suppose, bolts can fail

[babsbrown]

A Mini engine and gearbox is about 150 Kg, so you have around a 200% safety factor.

Ah that's reassuring thanks. I just find it impressive how 3 relative small fixings can hold such a big amount

[babsbrown]

I know what you mean though when I was bolting mine one and craning it into place I definitely felt like.. are you sure about this.. but it hasn't fallen off yet and it's been on there a few years now
 
obviously as you start stripping it down it gets lighter but still exercise caution I suppose, bolts can fail

Absolutely! I'd hate to think of them failing with the full weight on and ruining the engine. Perhaps if I get cracked on I can get the gearbox on and the whole assembly off the stand In quick time.

[stuart bowes]

I suppose it's a combination of working quickly and efficiently, safely, but not so fast that it's rushed and mistakes made,  a lot of people have done it in the past though and we don't hear endless horror stories of them falling off so I take comfort from that

 

wrenching at stuck bolts and putting long lever bars on etc is probably the most dangerous time, I'll probably do a lot of rattle gunning to strip mine down and then re-assembly with standard tools

 

there might be one or two really stuck bolts where you want to take it off the stand while you work on them I suppose, I've seen videos where people do that 

Edited by stuart bowes, 14 February 2025 - 10:23 AM.

[DeadSquare]

 

A Mini engine and gearbox is about 150 Kg, so you have around a 200% safety factor.

Ah that's reassuring thanks. I just find it impressive how 3 relative small fixings can hold such a big amount

 

 

 

 

A Mini engine and gearbox is about 150 Kg, so you have around a 200% safety factor.

Ah that's reassuring thanks. I just find it impressive how 3 relative small fixings can hold such a big amount

 

There was one that supplied a 'plate' made from box section, which just fitted on the two 3/8" oil filter studs.

 

I have never understood why the oil filter needs 3/8" mounting studs, when the oil pump is held by 1/4" screws.

[Gaz66]

A Mini engine and gearbox is about 150 Kg, so you have around a 200% safety factor.

Don't forget to add in the Chinesium factor 👍

[eric67]

Personally, I wouldn’t want to take the risk. Seeing as your engine looks to be fully built is it not possible to crane the engine down onto the awaiting gearbox and finish the build on the bench?

[DeadSquare]

Personally, I wouldn’t want to take the risk. Seeing as your engine looks to be fully built is it not possible to crane the engine down onto the awaiting gearbox and finish the build on the bench?

Whether attached to an engine stand, on a bench or on the floor, the job of mating the engine and the gearbox is much easier, if the block is inverted and the much lighter gearbox is lowered onto the block.

[imack]

Personally, I wouldn’t want to take the risk. Seeing as your engine looks to be fully built is it not possible to crane the engine down onto the awaiting gearbox and finish the build on the bench?

That's how I prefer to do it, except I'm using a block and tackle.

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[imack]

I considered mounting my box onto an upturned engine now that I have an engine stand, but I was concerned about breaking the alternator bosses off the engine block with the weight of the gearbox as well.
My engines mounted to the plate via 4 studs 2 in the oil filter housing take off and 2 in the alternator mounting bosses.

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[Gaz66]

I considered mounting my box onto an upturned engine now that I have an engine stand, but I was concerned about breaking the alternator bosses off the engine block with the weight of the gearbox as well.
My engines mounted to the plate via 4 studs 2 in the oil filter housing take off and 2 in the alternator mounting bosses.

You've got some cheeky bits on that engine 👍

[babsbrown]

Cheers gents definitely food for thought . While I don't have the head torqued down yet I could perhaps lift the block onto the gear box rather than use the stand. I do have a crane too which would help.

[Spider]

I routinely build up 99% complete power units on the engine stand, these are complete with gearbox, pot joints, flywheel and housings, radiator, alternator, starter motor, distributor, fitted and timed - complete except for the mechanical fuel pump or the blanking plate that goes on there and the block drain plug.