Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronnie
Much of the problem is also the quality of the engine stand. Using a poorly designed $99.00 Horror Freight engine stand,as well as many others.All this only complicates the stress on the engine contact points. Some of the members should take their engine stands and see how much difference there is in being flush when tightened up not on an engine and then setting the head on a steel plate and you would be surprised how out of whack there cheap engine stands really are.You won't find any 99.00 stands used in a quality machine shop.Fabricate a 1/2" steel plate that has the bolt pattern drilled to match the bolt pattern and throw away the original cheap arms.This provides much more surface area for contact.
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The issue stems from the stress concentrations that are put on the bellhousing at the (4) fastener locations. That will be the same regardless of whether it's a $99 HF stand or a $999 NASCAR engine builder certified stand. The slop that's present in the pivot mechanism on the cheap stand is irrelevant.
Utilizing a plate that spans the entire bellhousing face and fastens to all of the bolt holes will help to reduce the stress at head fastener by spreading across a larger number (area). That's the route to go, regardless of the quality of the actual stand, when bolting from the bellhousing.