Which engine stand to get Options

[doug_b_928]

I just bought Jake Raby's Type 4 rebuild video. I'm not sure if I'm going to need to rebuild my engine, but guessing that I probably will at some point. Princess Auto (Canada's Harbor Freight) has a couple of engine stands, one of which (the 1,250lb) is going on 50% off next week. Which one of these would be the better one to get (the 1,000lb will likely go on 50% sale before I would need it, so I can wait)? It looks to me like the 1,000 might be easier to work on because the legs wouldn't be in the way of where one would be standing (please see the links below).

Also, I know nothing about these matters, so will the yoke that is needed for the VW engines work on these stands?

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/42...lb-Engine-Stand

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/42...lb-Engine-Stand

TIA

[pcar916]

I've never used the VW tool. The Porsche yoke has four support arms instead of the VW tool that has three.

Here's a link to some engine stand alternatives at Pelican.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopca..._PTOOLS_pg2.htm

Standard engine stands can be used but the main advantage to a Porsche yoke is that it attaches to only one side of the engine case. On a six that means you attach it to the side with the oil pump and you can spin separate the case halves easily with one of them free to be lifted exposing the crank as well. Getting the engine onto the stand?

Generally you take separate the trans from the engine and attach the yoke. Then lift the engine (i.e with an engine hoist) up to the level of the stand and plug it in. That works with the Porsche yoke. If you use a "standard" yoke it'll likely be too close to the engine to have access to the flywheel and it may interfere with the pressure plate as well. There are flywheel locks to do crankshaft work as well.

Everything's easier with the Porsche yoke. If you have room for it on your bench, there is a bolt-down piece the yoke will plug into. It can also be used on a stand built to bolt it onto.

The downside is it's expensive at roughly $300 for the yoke by itself. But it can be used with a standard engine stand even though the yoke is a little too small for it.

If I were only gonna do one engine... or even two, I'd likely modify a standard stand/yoke and use a VW ring adapter instead of buying a Porsche yoke. More engines? Get the real thing.

Good luck