hans14914

I am starting the refresh of one of my spare engines for the GTS sitting in the driveway. I have one of the factory engine stand "yokes", but it is designed for use in a stanard engine stand with the direct rotate ant pin lock. As I want to do bottom end service, but still keep the heads on the engine, this is a bit of a problem.

I am planning on ordering one of the 1/2ton geared engine stands manufactured by Sunnex, and having a similar adapter plate as the factory service part, but designed to bolted to the Sunnex head instead of the standard round bore. If there is interest, I will send the design up to a production shop I use instead of just a local fab guy.

The Sunnex 8300GA stand is also sold by Jegs as private label, and is much less and free shipping. Other advantages to this particular stand is that it folds for easy storage, and has a drip pan option:

http://www.sunextools.com/index.cfm?...t=117&item=298

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performan...80059/10002/-1

You may be asking yourself what the advantage to the factory engine yoke is: it helps support the entire upper bellhousing flange and uses not just the bolt holes, but the locating dowels as well, it also provides enough space to install and adjust the clutch while on the stand.

I am guessing the adapter would come in around $125 or so (this is a guess, but will get exact pricing if there is any interest). Please let me know if you guys would like one too.

Thanks
Hans

Rob Edwards

The biggest issue with using the Sunex (or any '4-point' mount engine stand) is that when you split the cradle, the entire weight of the block (and heads and intake, if attached) is all on the two upper bellhousing bolts. It'll hold, but the amount of sag and obvious stress on the inserts in the upper block is a little (a lot?) disconcerting. I would be very interested in an adapter so you can use the P201 with the Sunex stand.

jcorenman

Hans, that sounds great-- I've been looking for a factory stand for a long time without success.
Please count me in.

Jim

hans14914

Rob,

Correct me if I am wrong, as you know way more about the factory tools than I do. I was under the impression the factory yoke (is it P201) would support the weight of an assembled engine. I plan on duplicating the factory 928 yoke, but instead of having a round receiver, it will have a steel plate to bolt directly onto the Sunnex mounting plate. The arms included with the Sunnex would be removed for storage, and the new yoke bolted directly to the turn plate.

I will try to finish the CAD drawings this week, and get them posted. I dont have the Sunnex yet, so cant finish the drawings until I measure up the mounting pad.

Thanks
Hans

U-928

I may be able to get my hands on a factory yoke. Let me look into it.

hans14914

I have a factory yoke here. Problem is it only is drilled for a couple stops, and trying to man-handle the weight of the engine is just a pain. That is why I am making an interpretation of the factory yoke for use with a crank driven stand with infinite locking locations.

Spun

I am. Let me know when they are ready

Herman K

+1

worf928

Me three.

Count me in for one.

jcorenman

Are they done yet?

Rob Edwards

Hans, if you haven't gotten your Sunex yet, here are a few pictures that show it with different motors loaded up on it to give you a sense of the geometry. Definitely worth loading a complete motor on your stand and rotating it 180o and back so you can get a sense of how best to center the engine's mass around the rotational axis before you design anything.

Also, the drip tray isn't shown in these pics but is essential. Buy it if you didn't already.

jeff spahn

or a climate control system perhaps?

jeff spahn

I want your Rhino Rampage Rob!

Rob Edwards

That's long gone, but hungry hungry hippos is still in storage. Send me your shipping address and I'll get it in the mail.

Livio928

I am interested.