My local VW shop has the same Harbor Freight stand I do (I noticed after I bought mine). They build VWs engines on it.

If it doesn't fit for some reason send it back... no worries !

Sean Garrett
81 Westy (his)
95 EVC (hers)
87 Syncro (Subie project)
82 Parts Vanagon (need a part ?)
Central Arizona

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of Tom Young
> Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 10:31 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: engine stands
> 
> 
> I don't think a standard engine stand will work for VW 
> engines; I know the
> stand I have wouldn't work as the "arms" of the stand would 
> not match up
> with the mounting points on the VW engine.
> 
> If you look at
> 
> http://home.comcast.net/~tomyoung1/Images/left.jpg
> 
> you can catch a glimpse of the adaptor I made out of 1-1/8" 
> thick plywood.
> The plywood had a large circle cut out centered of the crank 
> - allowing some
> access to the oil seal and pilot bearing - and the "slots" in 
> the plywood
> where the engine mounting bolts go allowed for separating the 
> case halves.
> I also cut a circle in the plywood to allow access to the #3 
> piston pin.
> 
> I've rebuilt 2 Vanagon engines using this, and one of these days will
> probably use it in the rebuild of the engine in the picture.  
> If I was a
> "production" rebuilder this adaptor wouldn't be suitable but 
> it works OK for
> the "occasional" rebuilder.
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> Tom Young                       '81 Vanagon
> Lafayette, CA 94549         '82 Westfalia
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> From: "Jake Beaulieu" <jake_beaulieu@YAHOO.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 8:14 AM
> Subject: engine stands
> 
> > I am looking into purchasing an engine stand for my 1982 AC 
> westy.  I am
> trying to figure out if I need to buy one specifically made 
> for VW engines
> (like the ones Bus Depot and CIP carries) or if any old 
> universal engine
> stand will work.  If I am going to spend the money I would 
> like to get one
> that I can use with my other vehicles as well.  Do the 
> standard universal
> style engine stands work well for VW engines?
>