Regular engine maintenance keeps your vehicle running smoothly and extends its useful life. Conducting a complete engine overhaul during your maintenance sessions exposes engine parts that need replacing. You can only examine and repair the engine comfortably by taking it outside the vehicle. The engine block is made from metal, making it heavy to lift; you need an engine stand to extract it from the vehicle.

Engine stands are designed to hold the engine block in place so a mechanic can rebuild or repair an engine. The stand is made of high-grade metal for sturdy support and rollers to move easily around the workshop. Engines are held on the stand using adjustable arms that can go as high or low as needed. The arms have a flywheel that makes it easy to turn over the engine and access different surfaces.

Key Features of an Engine Stand

While most engine stands have the same design, different models are designed with features that depend on the intended use. Here are some key features to consider before investing in a stand:

Assembly Points

While stands may seem small on a garage floor, they can be heavy and require ample room when transporting whole. Manufacturers avoid this problem by creating stands with parts you can easily assemble or disassemble. This makes engine stands easy to move with when changing garages or working in a remote location.

Adjustable Height

Bending over for an extended period of time during an engine rebuild project can strain your back, causing intense pain. Stands come with adjustable arms to help set the right working height for your engine repair. The adjustable height arms are controlled using hydraulic levers, making the lifting or lowering process simple.

Adjustability on the stand allows you to maintain the right posture when working. Adjustable engine stands can be ideal when you intend to work while sitting since they can move and hold the engine at the right level.

Castors and Wheels

Stands come with wheels at the base, making movement around the garage easy. Wheels also offer your stand stability to handle engines comfortably without dropping them. More wheels on the stand often mean more stability and a higher capacity to hold larger engines.

Castors on wheels allow you to lock wheels in place and prevent the stand from moving unless you want it to. Iron and castors lock properly onto the wheels for a stable base, offering you adequate support throughout the repair.

Crank Handles

Professional stands often feature a crank handle which helps rotate the engine around. This allows you to work on different surfaces throughout the engine rebuild by positioning the engine at the desired angle.

The functionality of crank handles depends on the gear type and mechanism installed on the stand. This means crank handles may be slower when handling small engines than small pipe and hole handles. The simple turning mechanism on crank handles works best on large truck engines on a multi-hour build.

Capacity

Truck engines are much larger than those in smaller vehicles, so you need a stand that can comfortably hold the engine. Checking the stand’s capacity to fit the engine types you want to work on can help meet your needs. Heavier engines can take a toll on your stand and limit its operational abilities.

Before setting up an engine on a stand, check the manufacturer’s instructions about the capacity limits. More weight on your stand can cause the handles to break or drop the engine. This can damage your engine.

Compatibility With Engine Cranes

Engine cranes and stands perform two distinct tasks: The cranes help you hoist the engine into or off the vehicle, while the stands help hold the block in position. Both pieces of equipment should work together seamlessly to make lifting and installing the engine on a stand as easy and safe as possible.

Check how well the stand interlocks with your existing crane when buying a new model. Check the spacing between its legs and ensure it fits properly for compatibility.

Find an Amazing Engine Stand

Engine repair or rebuilding can be challenging if you need to lift the engine in and out of the hood. An engine stand can help you hold the engine block at desired angles and distance from the ground as you work on it. Find a model that works best for your projects, and you'll save yourself time and energy for years to come.