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Engine Cradles/Stands
Transport or store your Pontiac engine on an engine cradle from Butler Performance. These can be uses with or without casters and can even be fastened to a pallet to ship your entire engine safe and securely.
When dealing with a high-performance Pontiac V8—whether a fully assembled 505ci monster or a freshly machined short block—safe handling, storage, and shipping are non-negotiable. Traditional, generic engine stands often fail to properly support the unique weight distribution and motor mount bolt pattern of the classic Pontiac block, leading to instability and potential damage.
Butler Performance eliminates this risk by offering exclusive, purpose-built Pontiac V8 Engine Cradles and Stands.1 These products are engineered specifically for the 1961-1979 Pontiac V8 (326 to 455ci, providing the ultimate peace of mind for engine builders and enthusiasts.
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The Butler Exclusive Cradle: Transport and Storage
The core offering from Butler Performance is their Exclusive Pontiac V-8 Storage Cradle.2 This is the exact cradle used for transporting the meticulous short blocks and crate engines built in-house at Butler, vouching for its reliability and precision.
Key Design Features:
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Pontiac Specific Fitment: The cradle is engineered to bolt directly and securely into the motor mount holes of the Pontiac V8 block. Unlike universal designs, this ensures maximum contact and stability, preventing the engine from rocking or tipping.
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Heavy-Duty Construction: Built with durable materials and often featuring a laser-cut and powder-coated finish, the cradle is designed to hold the substantial weight of a fully dressed Pontiac V8, which can easily exceed $500$ pounds.
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Versatile Base Plate: The base of the cradle is designed with utility in mind:
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Casters (Wheels): The unit can be purchased with or without casters (wheels).3 When equipped, it becomes an engine dolly, allowing easy movement around a garage or shop floor. Butler also offers the caster kit separately for later upgrades.
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Secure Shipping: The base plate includes holes specifically designed to allow the entire assembly to be securely bolted to a wooden pallet for safe, commercial shipping—a necessity when sending an engine core or a finished crate engine.4
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Cradles vs. Stands: Choosing the Right Tool
While the term "cradle" and "stand" are often used interchangeably, they serve slightly different purposes, and Butler Performance ensures you have the right tool for the job:
| Tool Type | Primary Function | Key Features | Butler Application |
| Engine Cradle | Storage, Transport, Shipping | Low profile, uses motor mount holes, extremely stable, accepts casters. | Ideal for long-term storage, painting, or sending the engine to a machine shop. |
| Engine Stand | Assembly, Disassembly, Service | High profile, allows 360 engine rotation, uses bell housing bolt pattern. | Used for internal work (rotating assembly install) and final engine assembly. |
While Butler's Engine Cradles are perfect for transport and low-profile storage, they also supply heavy-duty engine stands and accessories to simplify the assembly process.5
Supporting Accessories for Easier Engine Handling
Butler Performance also offers essential tools to complement the cradle and stand, making the entire engine handling process safer and more efficient:
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Engine Lift Plates: These plates bolt to the carburetor flange on the intake manifold and provide a balanced point for attaching an engine hoist or crane. This is crucial for safely lifting the heavy Pontiac V8 out of the chassis or onto the cradle/stand.
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Engine Adapter Kits: For builders using an engine stand that came from a different manufacturer (like a common Chevy stand), Butler offers motor mount adapter plates to ensure the Pontiac block bolts up securely without stress or wobble.
By providing these Pontiac-specific engine cradles and handling accessories, Butler Performance helps protect a builder's investment—the meticulously machined engine block—at every stage of the build process.