Engine Stands

The three kinds of engine stand in this category

1. Hand-rotated stands

These are the conventional shop stands: a post carrying an adjustable mounting head and a long handle. You rotate the engine by pushing the handle and pinning the head. Six models fit this description - Norco 78100, 78100i, 78108 and 78108i, the Ranger RES-1TF and the Zinko ZES-050. The four Norco models and the ZES-050 publish the same rolling arrangement - two rigid wheels at the rear and two swivel casters in front; the Ranger RES-1TF publishes only heavy-duty swivel casters in a 4-wheel design. The Norco listings describe a fully adjustable mounting head with finger adjustment of 12 in. to 15.5 in. in height and 15 in. to 18 in. in width, and heavy wall tubing that Norco says prevents excessive frame flex. The Zinko ZES-050 uses four adjustable attachment arms and a locking pin that secures the work in any of eight positions. The Ranger RES-1TF is the only stand here described as folding upright to conserve floor space, and it is also the only one with a 4-wheel design specifically credited for stability, a reinforced neck and a slotted adjustable saddle. The Mahle AES-1000 also turns by hand but sits outside this group: it is described as fully adjustable, laterally adjusting, with 360 deg rotation and locking wheels, and its listing does not state a post configuration.

2. Gear-driven stands

Above roughly 1,000 lb., turning an engine by hand against its own offset weight stops being pleasant. Three models replace the handle with a geared drive. The Norco 78155 (1,250 lb.) and Norco 78230 (2,000 lb.) both use a 75:1 ratio gearbox driven by a hand crank, and both ride on polyurethane wheels that the listings say protect tile and epoxy floors. The Zinko ZES-100 uses a twin-post design for lateral adjustment plus a gearbox that allows full rotation of the mounted unit and then locks it in position. The 78230 is also a twin-post design and is described as intended for automobile, light-duty truck and medium-duty truck engines and transmissions; it ships with two universal mounting plates, a rotating shaft, eight fully adjustable arms and the related hardware, and its mounting plates can be adjusted 36-1/4 in. apart.

3. Heavy-duty roll-over stands

Two models are rated 6,000 lb.: the Norco 78160, listed for safe handling and positioning of most diesel engines, and the Mahle CES-6000, listed as a heavy-duty engine roll-over stand for light and heavy duty vehicle engine rebuilds. The 78160 uses a 95:1 worm gear drive with a long handle, a mounting head that tilts for engine clearance through its 360 deg rotation, and a floor lock that keeps the stand from moving during repairs; a universal adapter is included. The Mahle CES-6000 publishes a 42 in. maximum engine swing radius and locking wheels. The 78160 is the model behind searches for a diesel engine stand or a Cummins engine stand - it is the one described for diesel engines and the only 6,000 lb. stand with published engine adapters. The CES-6000 is a heavy-duty roll-over stand with no adapters published in this category. Both are physically large - plan for them before you buy.

Capacity: match the number to the assembly, not the vehicle

Published capacities in this category fall into four tiers. 1,000 lb. covers the Norco 78100 and 78100i; the Mahle AES-1000 is rated 1,000 lb. (454 kg) as well, but see the ordering column in the comparison table below before you build a plan around it. 1,250 lb. covers the Norco 78108, 78108i and 78155; Norco describes the 78108 and 78108i as having heavier construction to handle the largest V8s, and rates the 78155 for automotive engines weighing up to 1,250 pounds. 2,000 lb. covers the Norco 78230 and the Ranger RES-1TF, whose specification table states 2,000 lbs. (907 kg). 6,000 lb. covers the Norco 78160 and the Mahle CES-6000, rated 6,000 lbs. (2721.55 kg).

Two listings state capacity only in tons: the Zinko ZES-050 at 1/2 ton and the Zinko ZES-100 at 1 ton. Their specification tables do not give a pound figure, so confirm the unit with the model page before you compare them against a pound-rated stand. Note also that the Ranger listing labels the RES-1TF as a 1-ton stand and states 2,000 lbs. in the same specification table, so "1 ton" on that listing means the 2,000 lb. short ton.

Floor space, clearance and what the stand needs from your shop

Footprint is the specification most often skipped and most often regretted. The smallest published footprint in the category is the Zinko ZES-050 at 32-3/8 in. long by 29-1/8 in. at the rear, but that is one of three listings here that are not currently set up for online ordering. Among the models you can order online, the Ranger RES-1TF has the smallest footprint at 41 in. long by 31 in. wide by 37.5 in. high, and it is the only one that folds upright for storage; the Norco 78100 and 78100i are the shortest at 37 in. long by 34.5 in. wide by 38 in. high; the 78108 and 78108i measure 39 in. by 36.5 in. by 39 in.; the 78108 and 78108i measure 39 in. by 36.5 in. by 39 in. The gear-driven 78155 and 78230 both extend from 38.25 in. to 53.25 in. in length - the 78155 has a telescopic base that locks into any one of four positions to lengthen the stand for added stability when required. At the top end, the Norco 78160 is 54.25 in. long by 50 in. wide by 45 in. high, and the Mahle CES-6000 reaches 66 in. maximum overall length by 49 in. wide by 50 in. maximum overall height.

Rotational clearance matters as much as footprint, because the engine sweeps a circle once it starts turning. The Norco 78160 publishes rotational clearance from mounting head to ground of 35.25 in. to 43.25 in. Mahle publishes a maximum engine swing radius of 31 in. for the AES-1000 and 42 in. for the CES-6000. None of these listings specifies a ceiling height, a floor thickness or a concrete rating; if your slab or headroom is marginal, request the model's spec sheet before ordering.

One thing you do not need is a utility connection. None of the 12 stand listings specifies an electrical supply, compressed air or a hydraulic source - every rotation mechanism described is manual: a handle, a hand crank or a worm gear. Wheel detail is published per model: the 78160 uses 7 in. front and 5.75 in. rear wheels, the Mahle AES-1000 uses 4 in. swivel front wheels with brakes and 5 in. fixed rears, and the CES-6000 uses 8 in. fixed fronts and 6 in. swivel rears. The 78108 and 78108i add locking swivel casters in front; the 78155 and 78230 each have one locking caster to secure the stand in position.

Comparison of the 12 stands

The weights above are the figures printed in each model's own specification table. Read the column header before you use one of these numbers. The Zinko ZES-050 table is headed "Weight" (53 lbs.) - that is the stand, not the crate. The ZES-100 table is headed "Ship Weight" (290 lbs.). Norco and Ranger label theirs "Shipping Weight", and the two Mahle tables do not publish a weight at all. Where the header says only "Weight", it is not a freight figure: call us for the crated weight before you book the appointment.

Cummins, Detroit, Caterpillar and other diesel adapters

The 78160 ships with a universal adapter included, but Norco also publishes dedicated adapters for specific diesel families, and an adapter for one stand family will not fit another - each adapter page states which stands it fits, and several fit two.

• Fits the 78160 (6,000 lb.): 16 adapters. Cummins coverage is 78163 (NH, NTC, NTE, N14 855, V6 378, 504, 555, V8 903, in-line 6 KT 1150M, L10), 78175 (ISX15), 78177 (B Series 5.9L in-line 6) and 78178 (C Series 8.3L in-line 6). Detroit Diesel coverage is 78162 (53, 71 and 92 Series), 78168 (V6 and V8 Series 71) and 78176 (Series 60). Caterpillar coverage is 78164 (in-line 6 models 1673, 1674, 1693, 3306, 3406E; V8 models 1100, 3208, 3408) and 78169 (3114, 3116, 3176 truck or marine, and C12) - see the third note below on how those two model lists differ between pages. Also 78165 (International Harvester DT-466, DV-550, MV-404, MV-446, V304, V435, V392, 4-152, 4-194, 4-196, 9.0 liter V8, plus Ford 6.9L and 7.3L), 78166 (Mack 672, 673, 675, 711), 78170 (Mack V8 1000, E6, E7), 78172 (Volvo TD67, TD71), 78174 (Ford New Holland 6.6L and 7.8L), and the Allison transmission adapters 78167 (AT, MT, VS, VH, V730) and 78173 (HT740D, HT750, HT750CT, CLBT, CR/DR).
• Fits the 78230: 78201 (Ford 6.0L and 6.4L), 78202 (Ford 6.2L), 78203A (Ford 6.7L) and 78208 (Dodge Cummins 6.7L diesel). The four adapter pages also name an earlier 78200A stand, while the 78230 page calls its predecessor the 78200; the adapter pages are the ones that state fitment, so confirm the model number stamped on an older stand before ordering.
• Fits the 78155 and 78230: 78127, a rotating adapter for Ford 6R60, 6R75, 6R80, 10R60 and 10R80 transmissions.
• Fits the 78100, 78100i, 78108 and 78108i: 78109, which replaces the engine mounting fingers and converts the stand into a transmission service stand.

Four notes on the listings themselves. First, the 78160 product page lists 13 optional adapters, but 78176, 78177 and 78178 each state on their own page that they fit the 78160 as well - the page list is simply incomplete. Second, the 78230 page lists only 78201, 78202 and 78208, but the 78203A page states it fits the 78230 as well, so that list is incomplete too. Third, the 78160 page and the adapter pages differ on two model lists - the 78164 page says 3406E where the 78160 page says 3406, and the 78169 page adds the C12 where the 78160 page does not. The adapter page is the more specific source; confirm the exact engine with us before ordering, especially if yours is a pre-E 3406. Fourth, 78167 and 78173 carry "Engine Adapter" in their product names, while both their own descriptions and the 78160 page identify them as Allison transmission adapters; the description is the accurate one. Adapters are sold separately unless the stand's page says otherwise - the 78160 is the exception, since it includes a universal adapter.

The category also includes the Norco 78099 4-point engine support tool, which is not a stand at all. Its transverse support bar mounts on the shock strut towers to support the engine from above while it stays in the vehicle; the strut tower mounts can be positioned on the bar up to 47-1/2 in. apart to fit most vehicles, and one or both front support adapters mount on the bar for heavier engines. Three 1/2 in. diameter hooks 14 in. long with spin knobs carry the load. It weighs 52 lbs., and Norco publishes an operations manual and an exploded drawing for it - read the manual before you plan a job around it.

U.S.A. and imported Norco models

Norco lists two of its stands in both a U.S.A. and an imported version: the 78100 and 78100i at 1,000 lb., and the 78108 and 78108i at 1,250 lb. Their published specifications are identical within each pair - same capacity, same length, width and height, same 12 in. to 15.5 in. height and 15 in. to 18 in. width finger adjustment, same shipping weight. The visible differences are price and documentation: the U.S.A. 78100 and 78108 pages offer an operations manual, an exploded drawing, product specifications and a sales sheet, while the imported 78100i and 78108i pages offer the manual, specifications and sales sheet without the exploded drawing. If you expect to order individual replacement parts years from now, that drawing is worth having.

Documentation, tax and freight

Every Norco stand page in this category links an operations manual and a product specification sheet, and the 78100, 78108 and 78160 add exploded drawings. Mahle publishes an operation manual for the AES-1000 and the CES-6000; Ranger publishes a flyer for the RES-1TF. The Norco and Ranger listings carry a California Proposition 65 warning. No listing in this category declares an ALI, ASME, ETL or OSHA certification - if a certification is a purchasing requirement for your facility, ask us in writing before you order rather than assuming it.

Sales tax is noted on the listings themselves: Norco items note that tax applies in California, Texas, Indiana, Florida and Missouri, and the Ranger listing notes that Ranger charges sales tax in California. Eight items in this category are currently listed with free shipping - the Ranger RES-1TF, the Norco 78160, 78230, 78164, 78165, 78172 and 78174, and the Mahle CES-6000. Shipping on everything else is quoted per order: the stands crate as freight, while the lighter adapters - the 78109 at 11 lbs. and the 78201 at 31 lbs., for example - ship as parcel. Ask us for the quote with your ZIP code. The Ranger listing states plainly that unloading the freight at the delivery location is the buyer's responsibility, which is worth planning for on any stand in the 300 lb. and up range. The two heaviest are the Mahle CES-6000 and the Norco 78160; the 78160 publishes a 631 lb. shipping weight in its specification table, and the CES-6000 does not publish one at all, so confirm its crated weight with us before you book the appointment.

Frequently asked questions

What capacity engine stand do I need?

Rate the stand against the weight of the complete assembly you will mount, not the vehicle. Most gas V8 shortblocks and dressed engines fall inside the 1,000 lb. and 1,250 lb. tiers; Norco describes the 78108 and 78108i as built to handle the largest V8s, and rates the 78155 for automotive engines weighing up to 1,250 pounds. Medium-duty truck engines and transmissions are the stated use case for the 2,000 lb. 78230. Class 8 diesels belong on the 6,000 lb. 78160 or Mahle CES-6000. Do not size to the exact weight - leave margin for accessories, flywheel and any fluid still in the block.

Is an engine stand the same as an engine dolly or an engine cart?

No, and the distinction matters. Every stand in this category is a rotating stand: the engine is bolted to a head that turns 360 deg so you can reach the pan, the heads and the accessory drive without lifting. A dolly or cart simply carries an engine at floor level and does not rotate it. Every stand here that publishes a wheel specification rolls on wheels or casters, so it moves around a bay, but its purpose is orientation, not transport. The Zinko ZES-100 listing does not publish a wheel specification at all - ask us before you assume it rolls.

Which stand do I need for a Cummins or other diesel engine?

Pick the stand first, then the adapter, because adapters are stand-specific. For an ISX15, a Series 60, a Cat 3406E or a Mack E7, the Norco 78160 is the model with published adapters for those families. For a Dodge Cummins 6.7L or a Ford 6.0L, 6.2L, 6.4L or 6.7L, the 78230 is the stand, with adapter 78208 or 78201, 78202, 78203A respectively. A B Series 5.9L or C Series 8.3L Cummins uses adapters 78177 and 78178 on the 78160.

Can I use an engine stand for a transmission?

Some of them. The 78109 adapter replaces the mounting fingers on the 78100, 78100i, 78108 and 78108i and converts those stands into transmission service stands. The 78127 mounts to the 78155 or 78230 for Ford 6R and 10R transmissions, and 78167 and 78173 handle Allison units on the 78160. Those four adapters are the routes we can quote today.

Do these stands need electricity or shop air?

None of the 12 listings specifies an electrical, compressed-air or hydraulic requirement. Rotation is manual across the range: a handle on the hand-rotated models, a 75:1 hand-crank gearbox on the 78155 and 78230, and a 95:1 worm gear on the 78160. That means you can place a stand anywhere in the shop, subject only to floor space and the swing radius of the engine.

Can the stand be broken down for storage?

Several can. The Norco 78100 and 78100i state that one bolt disassembles the stand for transporting or storage. The Ranger RES-1TF folds upright to conserve floor space. The 78108 and 78108i listings are inconsistent on this point - the same feature list states both that one bolt and that four bolts disassemble the stand - so check the operations manual linked on those pages before you count on a specific teardown. The gear-driven and 6,000 lb. models are not described as knock-down units.

Not sure which stand and adapter combination fits the engine on your bench? Call 800-562-4791 and we will match the capacity, the footprint and the mounting adapter to the work you actually do.