Question: What to look for when buying a used engine stand

[poundman]

I am getting ready to pull my engine for cleaning and repairs (seals etc..)
I am looking for a used engine stand on facebook market place to make my work easier.

Also, I will be looking for a used motorcycle lift to get engine out.

Looking for your advice on what to look for in engine stand for my T4 engine.
I might just buy one of these new on Amazon. Any one used one of these?
From what I can tell from searches, I might need a custom yoke/mount to fit the VW T4 engine. These arms don't seem long enough, or need to go around the flywheel.

https://www.amazon.com/VEVOR-Engine-Stand-5-Caster-Maintenance/dp/B0BZTTSMLW/ref=sr_1_15?sr=8-15

https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/lifts-cra...59201.html

Also, and advice on motorcycle lift, especially what will not work well.
Thanks
_________________
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Restoring a 1972 Bay Window Bus that has not be registered for the road since 1981.
Sugar Land, Texas

[aeromech]

Buy a new motorcycle jack. I think they’re pretty cheap and easy to find.

That stand has a big problem. You can't roll the engine under and lift. A fully dressed T4 engine is around 300 pounds.

I’ve solved those issues for myself after having strained my neck which caused popping every time I turned my head for the next six months.

Seach for VW engine yoke

Pics of what I do

_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[Glenn]

The stand is not the issue, but the yoke.

You don't want to use the supplied yoke, it doesn't support the case enough.

Be careful of the cheap VW stands, they are thin metal, have poor welds and tend to bend from the weight of a complete engine.

Harbor Freight stand, VW Alley yoke.

2 arm is good for a Type 1. You want a 3 arms for a Type 4 or 911.

_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

[67rustavenger]

Since the VW Alley engine yoke is no longer being fabricated.
We have limited choices for good quality engine stand yokes.

Amazon carries this expensive and heavy duty beast!
https://www.amazon.com/QSC-Holding-Fixture-Yoke-Grey-Porsche/dp/B07P2JWBSZ
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin!

[aeromech]

I’m told that if you buy the five arm yoke from Amazon, you won’t be able to hold a dressed engine with all the tin unless you slice and dice some arms off
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[SGKent]

this one came off ebay out of Magalia/Paradise, but I would guess the big fire might have shut him down there. I think VWAlley1 on Ebay is VintageWorldTools mentioned earlier in this thread. The four arm works really well if you can find one. Just can't put the clutch on until the engine is off the stand.

VW Alley (VintageWorldTools) still visits the samba. Might pm him to see if he has one lying around or can turn you onto one. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=139705

_________________
"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin

[aeromech]

One of the guys making yokes died
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[poundman]

Found this one on facebook marketplace. But it is 6 hours away. Looks to be only 2 arm but sturdy. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/84272731...d03ae49e3e
_________________
-----------------------------------------
Restoring a 1972 Bay Window Bus that has not be registered for the road since 1981.
Sugar Land, Texas

[SGKent]

[hancockville]

Sorry to be hijacking the post but I was wondering if anyone has ever seen one of these engine stands and may now the value?

[67rustavenger]

[olafwagner]

I purchased the 'Vevor' engine stand from Amazon. I got the 1300 lbs version, not because of its carrying capacity, but rather because this one specifically has the 'U-shaped' footprint, which allows me to put something directly underneath to catch oil/dirt etc.

This stand, however, doesn't fit well onto the VW engine as is. So I 3D printed some spacer tabs that fit perfectly onto the case, and over the protruding lip as well. (I printed these with basic PLA, but with 100% infill). (Yes, I can already feel many people on this forum's eyes rolling, but seriously under compression these parts are more than strong enough).

The next problem was that the holes in the black arms are much bigger than M10 bolts, so I 3D printed some sleeves to fill this space. (also in basic PLA with 100% infill).

The final piece was that with the original hole locations, the mounting arms were spread too far out, so I drilled a second set of holes more 'inward' on the mounting arms.

I purchased two M10x120mm bolts for the two upper holes, and use the existing M10 studs for the two lower holes, and mounted the engine. Everything is very sturdy.

Here are the pics...

[jjvincent]

Just the one from Harbor freight. I have one and have done lots of different engines on it. The biggest trick is to just make sure you have the right fasteners. Those are easy to find. VW motors are super light, so the harbor freight ones work. If they work on a cast iron V8, then a VW motor is no big deal.

One other suggestion, is when you assemble the stand, make sure you lube up the casters and wheels. That way, you can easily move it around. Same for the rotating surface for the stand. My hardest ones are inline 6's because so much of it's weight is above the centerline of the crank. Thus a longer pipe to rotate it, made that job easier.

[Glenn]

How are you gonna split the case with all 4 bolts being used?
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

[olafwagner]

[jjvincent]

[sodbuster]

This is my old floor mount dealership stand. This is the best picture I can find of it. I've had it since 1990. if you can find something like this go for it. But look for just the head and yoke and you can mount it to whatever your fabrication skills allow. Avoid the cheaper small tube "bench top" style that still seem to be around. those just offer disappointment. You want something stout you can roll around at the very least.

[Wildthings]

Most all VW engine adapters just use two bolts to attach the engine to the adapter, built heavy enough a two arm stand is going to be just as good as a 4 armed stand. A three armed stand might give the best strength to weight ratio though..

[Glenn]

[poundman]