Engines need to be stored - I've got the Volvo B20 that's about to go back in to the Volvo so that can hang about on the engine stand if only I could find a place for the Land Rover 2,25 diesel...
...can't lift the Land Rover engine until I get the new M115 on its own mobile skateboard
So today was building trolleys for engines. It is becoming a bit of a Ground Hog Day event - done it a few times now.
For the OM617 (see earlier posts) I got all bunched up about supporting the engine on the engine mounts and just under the flywheel. This probably is the nicest way if you've got a newly painted sump - however - silly simple quick and dirty is the order of the day today.
^^^^^SImple construction that makes sure the castors are adequately supported^^^^^
Big long screws going through the sides - a few over priced corner reinforcing bits and a top of plywood that is semi-sacrificial.
This "design" for want of a better description is intended to let the engine sink into the plywood a bit - I don't really care about the plywood it'll probably be alright under the engine for unknown months (hopefully not years!) - then it can be burnt in the wood burning stove.
I'm not fiddling about making engine mount arm supports.
Note about the width dimension => Whilst you want the trolley to be wide enough to hold the engine don't forget that you will be limited by the width of the legs on your engine crane - also an irritating "feature" of many engine stands - same bloody width of the engine crane legs they sell as a set so you have to jiggle and cock about...
(This isn't such a problem if you are block and tackling from a handy tree or beam)
^^^^Still silly simple^^^^
Just a ratchet strap to hold the engine on my new skateboard...
...whilst I'm wary of cheapo ratchet straps (never exceed half their maximum weight and never use them to lift things => that's asking for trouble) they do have their uses if you don't want to leave your decent industrial ones strapped to an engine for an unkown number of months (hopefully not years!)