What is the preferred engine stand for the Mafia?

[Hornung418]

So I've got a little present that I hope to pick up before the end of the month, and I need something to support it while I gather the knowledge to take on disassembly.

I've looked online, but I really don't know what to look for. The only concrete thing I know I need is four points of contact with the ground. I've read of the tri pods tipping over with a nice shiny engine attached and that would be no bueno.

So what do ya say?

[danewilson77]

No clue.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[Hermes]

my buddy has one that sounds right for you, I'll see who makes it in a little while when I go over there

BTW, your "present" better start with the letter S

[Hornung418]

I'm getting it for $200 and it came from a 1992 e34...easy peasy to guess now!

Thanks, JP :)

[Hermes]

Justin, the only marking on it says "Heavy Duty 1000LB. Capacity Engine Stand"

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/3A9C4422-EDBA-46CF-95FA-983B8418DD5E-93-000000F7126F40C8.jpg

please tell me it's a M60B40

[Johal E32]

Justin, the only marking on it says "Heavy Duty 1000LB. Capacity Engine Stand"

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/3A9C4422-EDBA-46CF-95FA-983B8418DD5E-93-000000F7126F40C8.jpg

please tell me it's a M60B40

That's a 540i engine. Didn't come out until 1994-5.

It must be a M30B35 or M50b25 non-vanos? Am I right?

[JupiterBMW]

I normally rule against Harbor Freight tools at all costs, but in this case, the Harbor Freight one is just fine. And FWIW, I had a 3 wheeler back in the day. It was fine... Its not like it needs any serious maneuverability... Just be careful when you're wheeling it around with an engine on it...

Good luck. :thumbsup

[Hermes]

That's a 540i engine. Didn't come out until 1994-5.

I thought 540 was produced from 92-96?

[Hornung418]

It's a I6 Non-Vanos.

Going to be bored and stroked to 3.1 litres. Then a big fat turbo is going to get slapped on there and when I find a donor car, I will be ready to roll. Hopefully I find an e30 to stuff it into on the cheap.

[Crickett]

It's a I6 Non-Vanos.

Going to be bored and stroked to 3.1 litres. Then a big fat turbo is going to get slapped on there and when I find a donor car, I will be ready to roll. Hopefully I find an e30 to stuff it into on the cheap.

:jawdrop

[Johal E32]

I thought 540 was produced from 92-96?

Nah. E34's stopped in 1995. And the 540i and 530i had a short reign, only two years. 1994-95. Maybe in Europe they started producing them earlier.


It's a I6 Non-Vanos.

Going to be bored and stroked to 3.1 litres. Then a big fat turbo is going to get slapped on there and when I find a donor car, I will be ready to roll. Hopefully I find an e30 to stuff it into on the cheap.

Dude, I'm jelly. Please make a build thread with photos :drool

[Hornung418]

I am trying to pick up the motor before October. I will need to use the Odyssey or see if I can pay my friend to drive me up to Philadelphia in his truck.

But I will need to find a stand and a hoist to really get things rolling.

And a build thread will be made. I need an excuse to get out of bed Monday-Thursday.

I've applied at several places to fill the gap between weekends, but only 3 have gotten back to me to tell me that I'm under qualified :(

[brettbimmer]

Hey J:

Had good luck with this stand when working on the M20 from the E30 - looks identical to JP's, but slightly different coloring. Stand was great for that application. I also used a moving dolly (one with the main two wheels, plus the two swivel wheels with a few pieces of wood on it) when I had the engine and transmission assembled together and needed to be able to move them. A few photos:

5792

After setting up the EVIL M20 timing belt...
5794

Ghetto dolly:
5791

Redneck engine hoist - worked like a charm! :innocent
5793

[Hermes]

^ haha, my ghetto dolly is even funnier looking. I'll get a picture of it later

[zj96sc]

Concur or harbor freight. HF is not terrible for most stuff that doesn't have a power cord. Jack stands, engine stands, hoists, jacks, etc.

The only "upgrade" you might want to consider is a worm drive rotator - the manual rotation bushing can be pretty stubborn, or downright terrifying if you have a unevenly weighted engine bolted up and try to spin it. Unfortunatley that means spending probably 5x as much so you'll have to ask yourself how much engine work you'll ultimatley be doing.

Watch for a sale or subscribe to hf's coupon mailer....bound to go on sale at some point.

[Hornung418]

I get their mailer. I'll have to go through it when I see it next. Thanks for all the replies guys.

As for the amount of work...this engine will be going through a full make over. Slow and proper. No rush job. I will be over boring by 1mm and getting custom pistons for an 8.5CR and will hope to run 1.5 bar from the get go. I'm interested in seeing if my neighbors will sell their 318ti...I have a feeling they won't but that would be an awesome sleeper...

[Hornung418]

Here's a pic of the engine.
http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l495/gondargondar1972/DSCN0238.jpgHere's a pic of the engine.

http://s1120.photobucket.com/albums/l495/gondargondar1972/?action=view&current=DSCN0238.jpg

[toddness]

I have been looking for an engine stand, though not religiously, as I am just getting ready to rebuild an M42 (I am a purist) this winter and probably do the 2002 next winter as it slowly creeps over 92K original miles.

I am probably going with the Harbor Freight 1ton four wheel engine stand for 59.00 (on sale) and 7.00 slow freight to NorCal.

And I am sure you've heard of Craigslist (lol). I've seen them for 35.00 on up. I'll probably just buy new from Harbor Freight, rather than burning petrol and time with potential thieves and crackheads, unless one turns up really close (and soon).

I picked up a two ton engine hoist for 180.00, used once and looked/worked like new. I've pulled 3 motors since June 1. I've seen a similar one for 120.00 locally. Here's a link to one identical to the one I bought found on CL today :

http://stockton.craigslist.org/tls/3266199088.html

When it comes to e30's, I have been finding decent bodies and interiors with blown motors for 500 here in NorCal, with no rust. Or I find a trashed body and running components for same. - I have now bought 4 more since May in addition to the 318is and donor I posted here.

[nike001]

You should just buy my buddies engine that he was redoing for his e30. It's an m20 iirc

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/614996_449670871738345_101418092_o.jpg

[Hornung418]

Thanks Todd. I am looking to buy a new stand, can't trust used and there's no warranty to be found if something does get damaged. I found the engine on CList (that's the only place I look to buy an engine, on the cheap at least)

Dalton, 24 valves or bust. I'm also having second thoughts about the turbo for now. I think I want to build a High CR engine that revs to the moon. That would be cheaper than a turbo and would fit the budget better than the turbo. But there is nothing that says I won't turbo it later on down the line.

[Crestwood1001]

You should just buy my buddies engine that he was redoing for his e30. It's an m20 iirc

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/614996_449670871738345_101418092_o.jpg

Please tell me he's not selling that car...

[nike001]

Dalton, 24 valves or bust. I'm also having second thoughts about the turbo for now. I think I want to build a High CR engine that revs to the moon. That would be cheaper than a turbo and would fit the budget better than the turbo. But there is nothing that says I won't turbo it later on down the line.

This is true. Idk.. if I were you, I'd build it to be turbo ready in case you decide on going that route later down the road.

Please tell me he's not selling that car...

Who? it's Kyle that I used to work with from BMW. Idk wtf he's thinking.. but apparently he got another honda.

[Crestwood1001]

This is true. Idk.. if I were you, I'd build it to be turbo ready in case you decide on going that route later down the road.


Who? it's Kyle that I used to work with from BMW. Idk wtf he's thinking.. but apparently he got another honda.

Ahh I thought you ment Geoff, and he's trading a BMW for a Honda? Questionable....

[Hornung418]

Yeah dunno, still doing research on my options.

Next step is to find an S52 crank from either an S52...or an M54B30.

You can easily stroke an M50/52 to 3.0L with using the rotating assembly from the B30, but the fun comes when you bore out the iron block. You can safely bore the iron block to 87mm from what I've read so far.

But...everything looks perfect on paper. I'll get a dedicated thread going tomorrow before work.

Horney...via TT.

[zj96sc]

Just my 2 cents, I wouldn't sweat a used engine stand. Not much to abuse on a static steel structure unless there is obvious bending or cracks. No warranty on a new one will cover an engine if the thing breaks anyway - especially not HF.

[Nivo]

Harbor Freight, Autozone etc they all mostly come from the same factory in China and they do the job.

[Hornung418]

Okay guys, Looking on Craigslist now. If I don't find anything, will buy new from Harbor Freight.

[zj96sc]

One more tidbit, I got a smoking deal on an engine hoist at tractor supply one time because it was the floor model. Paid like 50% of sticker. Just more food for thought.

[Hornung418]

Yeah, I scored a Yamaha receiver and speaker set for 40% open box floor model. Still enjoy it after 4 years.