Fleathead Engine Stands
 

http://www.fordbarn.com/wp-content/u...1/02/stand.jpg

You know what I got a thing for? Flathead engine stands... But I know absolutely nothing about them. I'm betting some of you fellas know everything there is to know about them. ... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Ford Barn, click here.

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

Almost every Ford dealership had one or more of these engine stands made by K-R Wilson. Who was one of the major suppliers of equipment to Ford dealers at the time 30's to 50's as I remember.

They are very heavy and safe to work with, now days expensive and expensive to ship. Well worth the investment if you are going to do several engines or more. Could be a club project.

Mark

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

I have 2 of the K.R. Wilson engine stands like the one pictured. One has the base and the other does not. I am looking for a base . If push comes to shove I could fabricate one out of heavy gauge steel. Makes working on a flathead V-8 or V-12 nice. The whole engine can be assembled exept for the exhaust manifold.

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

K.R. Wilson X-6000 engine stand. I wish I had one. These are the only thing that will provide a safe, secure stand to work on the flathead engines.

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

Question #1 does a Flathead block weigh less than the stand?

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

I love those things...and have been thinking about picking up an old kr Wilson catalogue so I can check out more of their stuff to put on my wishlist. Wondering what catalogue would have the most flathead v8 related items?

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

True, the KR Wilson is a solid stand but not the "only" one, Clayborne built a solid stand for the flathead engine that works well!
Will post a photo of mine later!

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

This one mounts on the exhaust manifold a lot of modern ones mount on the bell housing and the engines have been known to brake of .That is the engine bell housing can crack ,This job has the 16 holes for when you are doing a valve job ,A nice piece to have in your Flat-head shop .

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

I have a KRW stand that is missing the parts tray and the base.

According to the 1940 KRW catalog they had sold 14,000 of them in the last 20 years. In the catalog the base looks like it was an option, also the base in the 1940 catalog is not cast like the one in the picture, it is made from a 30X30X1/4 steel plate. The tool tray is also different.

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

I converted a cheap-o 3 leg stand into a wide base 4 leg stand, and built the engine holder out of 1/4" plate drilled to bolt onto the exhaust ports. The plate is welded to a thick angle-cut tube that rotates in the stand.
Actually patterned after a HAMB post I found.
I can take pictures and post em up, if you'd like.

John

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

The angle cut tube is what sets the engine level.

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...o/P2230006.jpg
Great thread and thanks for the pics.
I have one of those that I have beem trying to soak free to get the head to turn. I had no idea that there was a base for them. Looked like it would have to be fastened to the floor to be stable. It is good to see all the attachments that were available. I will have to be on the lookout for some of them. When I get mine loosened up and working I plan to mount an old flattie on it for display. It would be a good use for a cracked block that would have no other value.

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

I've had one of these stands for about 40 years now. Mine also has the worm gear box for rotating the motor on the stand. Very nice! You can position the engine at any angle you want. It came with the cast square base, but I took it off and threw it away and built a T-shaped base from 4" channel. The square base was too wide to fit between the legs of my engine lift. This all happened 40 years ago. If I had known how valuable these bases were, I would have kept it!!

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

Here are two KR Wilsons, One with and one without a base. Then there's another that we made.

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

http://www.stumpysfabworks.zoomshare...8080/image.jpgStumpy's Fabrication Works makes adapters for a normal engine stand. the adapters bolts to the exhaust side of the block so you negate the chance of breaking the rear of the block. http://stumpysfabworks.zoomshare.com...and%20adapters

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

I would love to have one of those KR Wilson stands.

I built my own adapter to mount my flatty to my crappy modern chinese engine stand.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...g?t=1298481913

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

I might be wrong, but those welds don't look like they have enough penetration. You might want to clean and reweld them so you don't drop an engine. Don't ask me how I know.... :(

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

Appreciate your comments.

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

I know we're getting a bit off-topic from the KR Wilson stands, but here's mine...

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

here's one I had powder coated...coater did it fflat black...would have looked much better hi gloss

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

What were the adjusters at the base used for? for leveling perhaps?

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

They screw to the floor on each, and keep the stand from moving. Herm.

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

One of the nicest engine stands that I saw posted here and possibly on the HAMB, was built by Mike Bishop in CA. It had adapters that mounted to the front and back of the block and the block could be rotated 360* while doing relieving, porting or other work. I believe he also had adapters that bolted to both side of the block at the exhaust ports. The block could also be rotated 360* in that position. It had a motor cycle seat to sit on while working on the block. It was very well made. Wish I had saved some of his posted pictures. I tried to contact him about this but he did not answer my PM or Email messages.

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

OK, so up 'til very recently I had never heard of a KR Wilson stand, much less seen one. Today I go to my neighbours house, and what do I see among the racing Flatties and the old Offenhauser engine collection, is a beautiful K R Wilson on the original base. He showed me all the adapters for it, it does inlines as well as flats. Pretty damn cool piece of equipment!

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

Have a look at krwilsontools.com I am sure this will help. Tim

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

That KRWilsontools.com website is cool.

I clicked on the Sale/Trade link and noticed they have one of the engine stands for sale...$1200....probably cost that much extra in freight charges!

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

A example of the Clayborne stand on the flee-pay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1932-...item4cf55d8b1b

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

I use a Clayborne, brought back to life after lots of brazing, welding, and seemingly random tabs were added by a previous owner.
It is an extermely good stand that allows the engine to be rotated axially for access to anything.
There is a wartime Ford manual of setting up a high-volume assembly line flathead rebuilding shop that shows endless rows of flatheads moving through the various departments on Claybornes, with boring and valve grinding done on the carts as well as assembly.
End adaptors allow full access for clutch and cam work, and nothing is obstructed.

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

The Clayborne was a pretty good idea. It gives support on both ends plus it still allows you to install or remove the camshaft. Hell you can even change the cam bearings. With an oil tray underneath you can catch all the oil slober both coming apart or going together. You can just hoist the motor right up out of it too since it just cradles it to the fittings on each end. They roll OK but they lock two wheels instead of just one like most modern stands. They stay put a little better than the three wheel modern types that usually only lock one wheel.

Kerby

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

Here is a picture of my KR Wilson engine stand. I also have the V8-60 adapter for it. The second picture is of a Model A Engine adapter for a modern engine stand. I have a lot of extra pipe and flat plate metal, so if someone would like me to make them one I could.

Attachment 33902 Attachment 33903

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

What a cool enginestand. That KR Wilson website is neat.

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

You can get an adapter from Jim Gordon @ Specialty Ford (626)2882290 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/p...ctureid=269259

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

Just trying to be helpful, not trying to advertise for anyone. I paid list price for mine.

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

This mount that works with a generic engine stand has always worked well for me.



http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...nderRoad01.jpg

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

How about a Manzel. They were similar to KRW, but were made of Aluminum to cut down on shipping costs. I found this one on the local Craigslist last year.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCN4474.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCN4475.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCN4477.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCN4473.jpg

We have been using this one that my dad made for years. It supports the engine from both sides. We always worried about hanging an engine from one side...even though I know it has been done forever.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCN3347.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCN3346.jpg

Neal

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

Actually, according to the list of suggested shop tools in a war time Canadian Ford publication, the stand shown in the original picture is probably made by Wasco. The tool number X-6000 is listed as a Wasco engine stand, and matches the picture in the book.

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

I need that 4 speed AA trany in the picture [email protected]

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

This isn't flathead specific... but I picked this up the other night...

its a "Ford Rotunda" with gear driven rotation.... my dad and a friend used it in the 70's to build engines on... did the boring and whatnot right on the stand...

I figure it will fit a flathead nicely.....though not as classy looking as the others..
http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/v.../fordstand.jpg

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

I have this one as well.

Re: Fleathead Engine Stands
 

I have a small run of these ready to weld that I am finally getting around to. $50 + shipping. The tube is 2 3/8" that fits most generic stands. Since these are unwelded I can customize them somewhat if you like before welding.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/th_026-1.jpg

I will also ship these unwelded with longer tubes if that suits you better, same price. 3/8" plate, 12.5 punds for shipping wieght.

Not trying to spam, just cleaning shop and these might be handy for someone new to flatheads. I will donate a portion of each sale to Ryan for the cost of running the board.