Originally Posted by crazy4diesel

Hi Charlie, Harbor Freight has more than one stand, they have 3 choices. The $45, 750 pound 3-legged one pictured above is spooky I'd never use it for anything. The $59 1,000 pound 4 wheeled one is the one I used, and the $129 1,500 pound 4 wheeled one they have with the extra cross member and supports is exactly like the blue one you have posted here (in design at least). When I bought my stand it was for a VW aircooled engine so the 1,000 pound one was more than I needed but I hated the idea of the three wheeled on stability alone, and for only $14 more, I figured I'd get the 1,000 pound stand.

For the 617 engine, that sucker bowed badly, so I did the prop up and it worked fine, and for me the gap between $59 and $129 to go the next step up was a good value, that didn't compromise safety since I had no intention of turning the engine anyways. I think the 2x4 prop also helped relive stress on the aluminum mounting part of the engine.

Originally Posted by winmutt

616 is probably closer to 450.

When I was 18 I picked up a bug engine and moved it 15ft. Don't think I have ever been the same.

Originally Posted by BillGrissom

I had a 5 cyl 1982 diesel on a cheap 3 wheel stand and it fell over. I was trying to remove the front crank bolt, with a long wrench, with a rod holding the flexplate. The rod slipped off and the spring-back made it topple. Fortunately, I moved fast and it hit the concrete on a bracket that didn't damage anything. I'll post the photos. Contributing was that I had attached it with the crank about in-line with the stand's center, and facing upward, so top-heavy. I later faced it down where much more stable and also found it better to jam the front end at the harmonic balancer to secure the crank. Next time, I'll get a 4 wheel pervert stand, i.e. one with "wide stance".

Originally Posted by charmalu

I guess depending what work you are doing on the engine, the Adaptor Plate can be left on or taken off.

I took the plate off on the engine I have mounted now. I bolted to the Holes in the back of the Block. I had to use a bunch of washers for spacers to get it all lined up.

I was looking for some pictures Deliveryvalve posted a few years ago bolting it on this way but couldn`t find them. maybe he will jump in here.

I know HF has several models of these stands, I have one of the 4 wheeled ones with a Nissan Diesel engine on it, been sitting on it out in the barn for about 20 years. It would be a more stable Stand if the front cross piece was longer.
I found the pictures I posted doing a Google search.

Charlie