Can I adapt an engine stand for outboard?

I am fortunate to inherit my neighbor's old Mercury 70 hp outboard. It took 3 people to put in my truck; I estimate it to be 180-200 lbs.

I now need to put it on a stand. A quick search online shows strong outboard stands very expensive, and less expensive ones flimsy. I am thinking whether I can adapt the linked engine stand, rated for 1000 lbs, for outboard use.

If I mount a 2.5"x10"x3' board onto the four prongs of this engine stand, where the engine will go, do you think this will work?

https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-engine-stand-59201.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21905696053&campaignid=21905696053&utm_content=169026379383&adsetid=169026379383&product=59201&store=494&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21905696053&gbraid=0AAAAADAHb4eUW0ryI9uZDHkWGD6daw6BN&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5JXFBhCrARIsAL1ckPsgCnd67Ig6n7bBLmcPAnHTMgqUMgwQLEkjZHd-7PQiru0GJiMAhRgaAoDNEALw_wcB

leave the 4 engine mounting prongs off. get 2 4" pieces of 2X4 and put them between the screw clamps and metal plate. tighten, done! might be a bit tall for engine stand so it will be tilted up a bit. don't drop it on yourself. good luck! Be sure to lubricate clamp screw threads to avoid damaging them

Measure the distance of the transom plate to bottom of skeg,  will it clear the ground?

I've seen motors mounted to things that look like beefed up saw horses. 

I've seen motors mounted to things that look like beefed up saw horses.

I hang my 10hp Honda on sawhorses all the time! Works pretty well for just getting it off the boat and out of the way.


For a bigger engine, I'd want a little more structure. I'd probably run a 2x8 across the uprights of an engine stand, and just mount it to that. A 2x4 would be plenty strong, but the extra depth would make mounting much easier, and out boards want to rotate against a "transom" - a deeper board would help stabilize against that.