Dumb but true post..how far can you carry a W123 300D engine block?
 

My answer is 42 feet, plus one lift to raise it from the garage floor, and a final heave, to put it into someone's truck.
I know this going to read like the most idiotic and moronic post in the world, but at age 46, and a little scared after visting relatives in nursing homes last week, I am proud that I found the kinetic energy yesterday to carry that dead W123 300D engine block in my garage 42 feet to the end of my driveway and put it into a sheet metal recycling truck picking up my neighbor's washing machines.
That block had sat there for an year and was really looking like an eyesore and I never found the time to rig up my hoist to put it into my car to drive it to a dump. I thought it was out of the question after a bout with high blood pressure and after a coworker messed up two discs trying to push a car.
But the visit to the nursing home affirmed my Neitschesque intention to carry the damn thing myself like I could do when I was 20 and pumping iron all the time.
So my answer is 42 feet, plus one lift to raise it from the garage floor, and a final heave, to put it into someone's truck.
I dont know if this post will die a quick death, draw laughter and derision, or make me look like an _ss, but there is something Neitschesque in being able to do this!

never did that engine but I did once carry a 2.0 pinto engine with all accerories out of the rear of my car for about 50 feet....but that was 20 years ago, doubt I could do it these days with the arthritis I have now....at 44

Thats no small task.....I bet there are few 18 year olds that could do it.

Personally, I would just pay someone $50 to come get it. It's not worth getting hurt.

I've seen a guy pick up and carry a 350 chevy engine..not bare block........ once.....damn that was impressive...he was a big guy.

Now of course, you'll be looking for a good chiropractor.
That was not a good idea...yeah I know, driver said " you need any help with that...?"
Kerb pickup only...? to macho to ask for help ?
I burst my left lung doing that stunt a long time ago....cost me mucho deneri later at the hospital.
Nowadays, I don't lift anything heavier than a spare wheel.

You'll learn :rolleyes:



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You are absolutely correct and I thank you. I dont think it was a macho thing, it was more a spirit of life thing, though I coulda hurt myself.
In self defense, I havent been taking age 46 too well, and sometimes we need calculated risks to make us feel alive and young and fighting. Thats why you see 70 year olders skydiving and 75 year old men driving Corvettes.
On the other hand, if i were writing this from the back surgery ward of the hospital i would feel like an A___

One of the reasons I wrench for a hobby is to keep myself active and able. However, I don't do stuff like that anymore. My health is just too valuable. I DO move stuff like that and more, alone, but I use a handtruck or a jack or a hoist.

When I was 20 I disassembled a barn at my parents house with a neighbor, George. He was 70 then and I sure learned a thing or 2 from that old monkey. He worked slow but steady. I know now that he was thinking many steps ahead. He wasn't about to get hurt because he had too many things he wanted to do with all that barn wood. George still putters around living in the house he built in 1951.:)

I'm 40 and like to pretend that I'm smarter not stronger than I used to be....I currently have laterial epicodylitis in both elbows and it hurts like a bugger. A couple of monthes ago I pulled hard on my 18" breaker bar to break free some stuburn lug bolts....no dice I got the 4'pipe and got them off. I am so wishing I got the 4'pipe at the start....I'm convinced that straining on those kugs did my elbows in....Moday AM's are the worst 'cause I play hockey on Sun PM's. :(

Wow, and you're still able to walk today? I'm impressed!

its 75% leg strength...thats what does all the work....

Hey Carrameow,

...I'm 48 and still doing the same less than brilliant things as well (although there's no way I could lift that block!). Just yesterday hauled the snowplow for my old Cub down off the shelf, shoved the mower deck up there in it's place....Not clever but I did expand my vocabulary. Like your website...my neighbors probably wonder the same things that yours do. "What's he doing in that garage all night and what the heck is that noise?"...clatter clatter clatter :)!

I built a temporary one car garage yesterday...with about 30 2X4s and a bunch of plywood and a tarp......to keep my W116 out of the weather.......and last night and still today I am paing for it....had no help and did it all by myself...talk about sore arms and legs today...:eek:


My garage is too full of other stuff to get a car into it.

When we get old like this, we're supposed to figure out the easy way of doing things, like moving the truck 40 feet closer. ;)

Even people who wish they were smart do stupid things..
 

Even people who wish they were smart do stupid things..and Pete Burton said it Best-- I would like to wrench when I am 70---it was stupid and very untypical of the way i do things now...i was grinding the cans on my cv joints and i had ear protection, face and eyes protection and a fire extinguisher handy to boot...

you can dance with a wooden leg and eat with false teeth, but you cannot see through a glass eye....So wear your eye protection.:D