<VV> Re: CORVAIR ENGINE STAND my unapproved methods

[N2VZD at aol.com]

i have built / rebuilt / repaired several engines over the years using the 
bench method. my jack gets them close enough to the bench hieght that most of 
the time i can get them on the bench myself. i can get them onto the jack 
fairley well alone from the bench. i like to work at a higher bench than std because 
of my bad back. i have one bench with holes drilled in it to accomodate the 
studs from one side. this lets me put the crank / cam assembly in easier.i made 
the holes by setting a head on the wooden bench made of thick plywood about 
3' x 6' on folding legs and drilling thru all the stud holes. i ovaled the 
lower holes to let me rock it into place. works very good. then i put the 
bellhousing on and set it up on the housing to put pistons  / cylinders on. and 
further assemble it. it seems easier to me anyways to do most of the work on the 
engine standing up. after i put the pan and top on i set it down to put shrouds 
and carbs etc on. then after primeing and checking oil pressure i run it , 
dialing in valves , timing , carbs etc right on the bench. i just finished doing 
this  with a new engine for my rampy on a new metal portable (with casters) 
bench.  i made an adapter to hold heads and trannys etc on a fixture that spins 
with ease and locks in place. the new way to hold the engine for putting the 
cam / crank in the block is a pair of wooden wedges that set under the lower 
block half holding it at an angle so things go into place and i can reach all of 
the crankcase bolts intead of just a couple.
the short of it is , i prefer bench working on vairs and a stand for the V8's 
i did before.
i will attemp to post a couple pictures soon on the web picture site courtesy 
of our friend thomas stingl
regards tim colson