How does the homemade 4WD engine stand rotate the engine?

A 4x4 wheel hub is welded to the stand's upright, and a spindle/axle assembly spins inside it on wheel bearings with lock rings. A locking hub installed on the assembly lets the builder unlock, rotate the engine to a desired position, then relock the hub to hold it.

What parts was the engine stand built from?

Old Ford TTB components: a stub axle with the yoke cut off welded into a spindle, the spindle/axle flange welded to a slotted flat plate, a 4x4 wheel hub welded to the upright, plus wheel bearings, lock rings, and a locking hub.

Why build this instead of buying an engine stand?

According to the article, it beats paying $300 (or more) for a geared engine stand.

Who built the engine stand described in the article?

Keith Lawyer, who fabricates shop tools from old truck parts at his place in Durango, Colorado.

How is the engine attached to the stand?

The engine hangs from a flat plate with slots cut in it, similar to the motor-mount plates found on normal engine stands, which is welded to the flange side of the spindle/axle.

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DIY 4WD Engine Stand from Ford TTB Parts - Locking Hub Rotating Design

Scanned magazine Cheap Tricks page describing a homemade 4WD engine stand

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Scanned magazine article describing how to fabricate a 4WD engine stand from old Ford TTB axle parts.

AI caption March 2006 · Photo 432 of 458

This is a scanned page from a magazine's "Cheap Tricks!" column describing a reader-built 4WD engine stand. Keith Lawyer of Durango, Colorado fabricated an engine stand from old Ford TTB (Twin Traction Beam) front axle components. The article explains his unique locking-hub engine rotating system: he cut the yoke off a stub axle, welded the remaining stub solidly into a spindle, then welded the spindle/axle flange to a slotted flat plate (similar to motor-mount plates on commercial engine stands). A 4x4 wheel hub was welded directly to the stand's upright, and the spindle/axle was installed into this fixed hub with wheel bearings and lock rings so it could spin. A standard locking hub was then installed on the assembly. With an engine mounted on the plate, unlocking the hub allows the engine to be rotated to any desired position, and relocking the hub holds it there — a homemade alternative to paying $300 or more for a geared engine stand. An ink illustration (signed NB '06) shows the hub, spindle, mounting plate, and upright assembly. Readers learn a practical shop fabrication technique for repurposing Ford TTB axle parts.

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Frequently asked questions

How does the homemade 4WD engine stand rotate the engine?: A 4x4 wheel hub is welded to the stand's upright, and a spindle/axle assembly spins inside it on wheel bearings with lock rings. A locking hub installed on the assembly lets the builder unlock, rotate the engine to a desired position, then relock the hub to hold it.
What parts was the engine stand built from?: Old Ford TTB components: a stub axle with the yoke cut off welded into a spindle, the spindle/axle flange welded to a slotted flat plate, a 4x4 wheel hub welded to the upright, plus wheel bearings, lock rings, and a locking hub.
Why build this instead of buying an engine stand?: According to the article, it beats paying $300 (or more) for a geared engine stand.
Who built the engine stand described in the article?: Keith Lawyer, who fabricates shop tools from old truck parts at his place in Durango, Colorado.
How is the engine attached to the stand?: The engine hangs from a flat plate with slots cut in it, similar to the motor-mount plates found on normal engine stands, which is welded to the flange side of the spindle/axle.