Engine stand options

[hoveringuy]

So I picked up another engine stand today in anticipation of putting the M54 back together. It's a basic 1000lb stand but it does have 4 wheels.

Last time I did this I mounted my M50 to the transmission mounting holes. That was Ok, but the stand got awfully tippy when it was rotated in certain postitions, plus I couldn't get to the rear main seal.

Has anyone mounted the engine sideways to the stand using the exhaust-side mounting bracket holes??

Hoveringuy

[Nicademus]

You could look into buying a different stand off of craigslist. I've seen some really nice ones on their for cheap.

[e30serg]

Are the bolt sizes the same? How far to they go into the block (compared to the tranny ones). Last thing you want is for the exhaust holes to pull out. Can you add some length to the legs? The stand I have is made of hollow-square cross-section tubes, and I could see a way of adding more length to the legs so that it won't tip over.

[hoveringuy]

I was thinking of fabricating a steel plate that would cover all 6 holes for the exhaust side mounting bracket. The plate would attach to the round tube that goes into the stand yoke so that the engine was mounted near the Center of Gravity.

I swear I've seen it done that way... somewhere.

[e30serg]

I'm pretty sure I've seen it too. Didn't think much about it though. Yeah, that might work!

[jakeb]

That is how m10s are mounted on a stand. Well that is how I mounted my m10 on a stand when I built it. It was really nice like that. I even had the trans bolted on and it seemed fine.

[dougsic]

Has anyone mounted the engine sideways to the stand using the exhaust-side mounting bracket holes??

Hoveringuy

Yep, there's Steve thinking outside the box again. What's next? Solving the MPG functions (oh yeah, you already did that).

nevermind

[hoveringuy]

I got to the point of having metal cut and even have a mounting flange on the exhaust side of the engine. Everything is mocked-up.

Looking at the comparitive advantages and disadvantages of mounting it sideways I don't see a compelling reason to do it anymore. It would make access to the rear of the engine easier but that's relatively minor. The main problem is that in mounting the cylinder head I want the top of the motor to be level; mounting it sideways wouldn't allow that.

I will mount it conventionally.

[matt]

Yes.

We've been thinking about selling kits to let you do this.

[hoveringuy]

Call me old fashioned, that's how it's mounted.

I did modify the two arms on top by making them shorter, the engine now rotates about a point 6 inches above the crank centerline so the head won't make it tipsy.

Of course, being aluminum it's not that heavy and I got it up there with only one arm!

[evil_twin]

Dayum! That block is beautiful.

[GotCone?]

anyone post specifics on the bolt specs for mounting M/S 50's on stand? Mainly looking for thread pitch

I understand they are M12 bolts but what pitch? 1.5 I would assume but...

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...17&hg=23&fg=10

[e30serg]

I can't remember but I just took my tranny bellhousing bolts to Ace Hardware and matched them up with new, longer bolts.

[GotCone?]

I won't have any bolts for reference.... which is why I ask.

found this thread though... so will go with that.

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34244&highlight=engine+stand+bolt

[e30serg]

Oh! Didn't know that. Glad you found your info.