BillZ260 Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 Once my trans is complete and I'm ready to mount all the clutch components, I will need to have the engine off the stand and sitting on something sturdy so I can have free access to the rear of the block w/ the flywheel and bellhousing on to take the required meaurments to install and adjust the clutch and HTOB. Does anyone have a diagram w/ measurments for a small frame I can sit this thing on while I do this? How have you all done it in the past? I don't really want to use an old tire, I'd like it to be sturdy (and cheap) I am thinking a simple steel frame, or maybe even using the wooden shipping crate (Since I dont' have a welder readily available) from my tool box as a base, it just needs to rest so I can fit the bell housing and what not on it. Eventually also using it to hold the engine when I bolt up the tranny to it for final install into the car. Other notes, what's the best way to keep the crank from rotating when torquing up the flywheel bolts and others? The last time I did this it was hanging from the cherry picker while a buddy kept the whole thing from flopping around. Don't really want to go that route this time. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastzcars Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 Here's a pic of a engine mounting system I bought from P.A.W. Maybe this will give you soem help. They are actually 2 idenicalhttp://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/graphequ@pacbell.net/detail?.dir=/e8e5&.dnm=fdd0.jpg&.src=ph pieces. P.S. I used a funiture dolley to support the trans while I was installing it to the engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerrari GTO Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 Here's one from Northern Tools for $34.99: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_406688_406688 This is probably the way I will go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 and YET ONE MORE GOOD EXAMPLE of why EVERY SHOP NEEDS, A DECENT WELDER you can very easily weld up your own engine dolly from a few feet of 2" box steel and a set of old motor mounts in only a few minutes, add some cheap casters (4)and your done http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38711 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=38710 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=14916&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C607%2C608%2C614&KickerID=234&KICKER this might give you some design ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillZ260 Posted May 9, 2006 Author Share Posted May 9, 2006 Grumpy you are going to help me justify the welder! I have to 2x3 tube left over just waisting space, and a set of nice roller beaing 4" casters just sitting on the shelf...... Now what welder? Is hobart really the same as lincoln and miller? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 that depends on your needs and budget! you don,t need a huge expensive welder for most auto work, but its REALLY REALLY NICE to have at LEAST an AC/DC 180 AMP stick welder as the basic welder to start with.... and heres a sellection Ive used http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91887 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43550 HERES TWO I HAVE IN MY SHOP http://store.weldersplus.com/link2160-3.html http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/IronMan210.html HERES WHATS VERY LIKELY TO BE MY NEXT WELDER!! http://store.cyberweld.com/milsyn350lx2.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillZ260 Posted May 10, 2006 Author Share Posted May 10, 2006 I'd like the first one, but it'll be hard to justify the $700 welder to make a $30 engine rack... I'll save up for it though, I've been wanting one for a while, but untill this car is complete, I really don't have room in my itsy garage.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 ITS rather UNREALISTIC to expect a GOOD welder to pay for itself on a single project....but youll easilly save many TIMES its cost over a few years if your seriously into car mods, and engine swaps , having a GOOD QUALITY welder at your garage, theres so many uses and hundreds of repairs, modifications,etc. that youll be able to do, vs farming out the work or buying new parts. that its really not an option if you do this type of work, (engine swaps) on a regular consistant basis. just check out what your local machine/welding shop wants to build that engine dolly vs what you can build it yourself for??? I seriously doubt they would consider building you one for under $40 even with you suppling the parts, it won,t take long at $40 here and $60 there to amortize the cost of a decent welder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillZ260 Posted May 10, 2006 Author Share Posted May 10, 2006 I got ya, I just wish welders re-sale dropped off significantly after sale so I could pick one like that Hobart 180 amp for like $200. What can I say...I'm cheap! I have been keeping my eyes open for one, and will grab one up the first time I see a deal. Plus I really don't have room right now. My 'shop' needs to be re-configured once the Z is running to fit two cars and all my other stuff. Will be a decent size undertaking....come to think, I might need a welder for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 your NOT CHEAP, your probably semi- BROKE like most guys in this hobby, simply because theres ALWAYS tools and PARTS you need that cost more than you can easily afford due to other more important necesssities like running a family home. look in your local news paper CONSTANTLY.. lookin the BARGIN TRADER MAGAZINES,ATTEND SWAP MEETS AND CAR SHOWS,ASK ABOUT DEALS AT MACHINE SHOPS (youll be suprised at the number of good deals in used welders that youll see in a years time,) shops upgrade or go out of business, guys move, get divorced, ETC. just be sure what your getting, condition,and prices of new stuff. and that what you get is from a major company where parts annd service are available HOBART MILLER LINCOLN ESB and I ASSUME YOUR AWARE THAT THERES A USED/RECONDITIONED WELDER SUPPLY SOURCE, and most WELDING SUPPLY STORES TAKE IN TRADES THAT THEY SELL AFTER RECONDITIONING http://www.weldingmart.com/reconditioned.htm http://www.weldplus.com/welderlist.asp http://www.surplusrecord.com/srg/018098.htm http://www.surplusrecord.com/srg/018293.htm http://search.ebay.com/welders_W0QQfromZR8QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQssPageNameZWLRS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillZ260 Posted May 10, 2006 Author Share Posted May 10, 2006 Cheap probably isnt' the best way to describe it...(My little bro is CHEAP! ) I'll spend the $$ if my percieved need/want is great enough. I try to make sure a big ticket item such as most tools, will get used and not just sit and collect dust. You know? -- EDIT -- I will try to keep the bargin post at hand a bit more often, I need to learn more about welding equipment so I don't get something I can't easily use. Quick FROOGLE search found the 180 for $502.00 w/ shipping. http://stores.channeladvisor.com/toolking/items/item.aspx?itemid=3466178 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 you can HARDLY go wrong with something like that for the price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbk240z Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 A buddy of mine a couple of years back was in thie same situation, limited money, space, etc. Anyway, he picked up some scrap/warped/discounted 2X6 lumber at the local Lowes and built an engine stand/holder similar to the shipping platform of a crate enigne. He made the vertical risers the width of the oil pan rails. He then used 2 old seatbelts from an old car, one end attached to one riser, then the other end to the opposing riser. Drape said belts over the engine, buckle up, tighten the slack and your enigne is now nice and cozy and secure, works great for hauling too. I now have the "stand" and have used it alot. Anyway, good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillZ260 Posted May 11, 2006 Author Share Posted May 11, 2006 THanks JBK. That's probably what will happen this weekend or something similar to it. I appretiate everyone's input. I'm waiting on the Ford "R" gearset to come in w/ the T5 rebuild kit, which consiquently cost me a hair more than the welder would have.... Maybe next month? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lason Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 I just happen to find a engine dolley in my GF's garage when i was helping her move and WOW those things are nice. It looks like the one that Zerrari GTO posted from Northern Tool. As far as welders goes I just got a Hobart Handler 140 from Northern Tool and I am loving life. There are SO many more doors open to me now. BTW, it was $500 and I wasnt even planning on getting it but after walking around shopping for a hoist I said screw it and finally bit the bullet.I was going to go with a Millermatic 175 but the 110 input voltage from the Hobart is nice because I dont need a dedicated 220v plug in my garage to run it. That being said it cant do some of the work its bigger brothers can do but for $500 it will be just fine. Like you mentioned welders re-sale dont drop so you can buy a smaller mig and upgrade later as needed and sell your old one for not too much less than what you paid for it assuming you take care of it. Btw Hobart and Miller are the same company but and their parts interchange for the most part. Hobart just uses plastic in some places where Miller uses metal but if you need to replace something Im sure the metal miller piece will work as an upgrade. If you do get you a MIG look at getting a nice auto darkening helmet too. I was gonna dump $250 into a miller mask but found Northern Tool had their own brand auto darkening adjustable mask for like $69 and I HIGHLY recommend it. ESPECIALLY for the money! welder http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product2_6970_200306073_200306073 Mask http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product2_6970_200311850_200311850 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skipzoomie Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 I think that the most sold welder in the world is the old Lincoln 225 "Buzzbox". I've had one for 40 years. It has served me faithfully. And in the used market it usually costs around $100 - $150. It will do everything you need in the automotive/fabrication hobby. With the exception of aluminum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerrari GTO Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 I'd like it to be sturdy (and cheap)Thoughts? Don't loose sight of what you are trying to do. $34.99 for a ready made cradle or... $700+ welder, ?$ steel, $20 casters, $$time. I've got a great Miller welder but for $34.99 I won't waste my time making one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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