i recently purchased a 16 airgator that was setup for a small block with gear reduction (belt). im putting a 500 caddy direct drive. i believe i measured a difference of 13" difference in width, anyway looks like i need a completely new stand made.....question is material, ive been told not to use aluminum because of stress, vibration, harmonics or something like that, causing it to crack. is this true?? if so what would be best choice of materials????
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engine stands
- Thread starter T-REX
- Start date
Airboatcapt2
Well-known member
I would reccommend using Stainless Steel Square tubing. You will also need extra bracing to support that engine. Check with someone who is skilled in building stainless steel engine stands.
Stainless is the first option second you could use mild steel (carbon steel)
I do not reccommend aluminum for that type of weight.
Good Luck,
Faron
American Airboats
Stainless is the first option second you could use mild steel (carbon steel)
I do not reccommend aluminum for that type of weight.
Good Luck,
Faron
American Airboats
c chardt
Well-known member
I usually use 1"square steel for engine stands. but if you can find some one to build it out of stainless that would be the way to go.A buddy of mine has a 502 with a belt drive all built on 1" stainless has no had any problems with it.He also spends alot of time running dry ground
airboat383
Member
My aluminum rigging was built in 1999 and I have beat this boat about every weekend since. In that time I have had two cracks. One was where the cage bolts to the hull and that was about an 1/8" long and the other was on the radiator bracket. The only downsides I have found with the aluminum is it does weigh a bit more than stainless and it has to be constantly polished to look good.
it seems from what everyone is saying that stainless would be tha best chioce.....
dumb question...383...stainless is lighter than aluminum?
if we are comparing 1" square to 1" square?
is this because of wall thickness??
i assumed aluminum was the lighter of the two...
thats what happens when you assume, you make a 'ass' out
of 'u' and 'me'
dumb question...383...stainless is lighter than aluminum?
if we are comparing 1" square to 1" square?
is this because of wall thickness??
i assumed aluminum was the lighter of the two...
thats what happens when you assume, you make a 'ass' out
of 'u' and 'me'
airboat383
Member
Aluminum is lighter in the same size. But in order to get the same strength, the aluminum tubing has to be bigger and have a thicker wall size.