Transporting engine

[jgroover]

I purchased an '83 300cd this week, but with it also came along a second turbo diesel motor that is in the sellers garage on an engine stand. I've never dealt with a standalone engine, so i'm wondering whats the best way to transport it from his house to mine. Looking online i see people use engine hoists to put into the bed of a truck - maybe i could rent one from a rental place?

Any suggestions would be great as i'm looking to pick it up this weekend!

[leathermang]

See if you can find a good A-Frame for this job... pick up the engine still attached to the engine stand.... and transport intact... but tied down well...
then take off same way at your place..... then , if you have to give the engine stand back to him, hoist the engine and let it down to be bolted to your new engine stand.... well worth having permanently for access to garage, working on the engine.. etc...

[BobK]

You can rent (or buy) fold-up engine hoists. As to what to use to hold it still, try a big tire! Like from a big jacked up pickup. Just lower the oil pan into the center. Tie the engine off to the side rails so it can't move around. We brought home an engine for my son's Eclipse (yuck!) that way in the back of my Suburban. Of course that little motor did not need as big of a tire! You just put the deep part of the pan in the center of the tire. Don't try to find a tire big enough for the whole pan. You want the tire to be the main support for the engine.

[jgroover]

Thanks for the suggestions. Yea it's allready on a stand and i'm keeping that which is good. Now i just have to find a truck to borrow!

[mdawson]

That 5 cylinder is going to be a lot heavier than you think. I recall it's somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 lbs with the turbo and all the gear. That could really mess up a borrowed truck if you're not careful.

You should be able to rent a foldable engine hoist for around $50 per day from any local Hertz or AAA rental place.

[BobK]

PEPBOYS had a 2ton folding Hoist on sale for $110 last week. Reg price $130.

[jgroover]

Yea i expected it to weigh around that much... but i wasn't going to put it into a small ranger or s-10 .. wish i had some contacts with a towing company or something along those lines..

[Habanero]

You should include your location in your profile. Many of us own pickups and would be willing to help if in the area.

[Johnhef]

do you want/need the spare engine? I could always use another...

[t walgamuth]

the other problem is that the engine is not a stable object sitting on a flat surface. it is made to be supported by the mounts and the tranny. if you lay it down be careful. the oil filter assembly is aluminum and easily broken. i suggest sitting it on its mounts on something like a cement block with a block of wood on top, then tying it off really well.

good luck.

[jgroover]

I added my location. I'm near Clinton New Jersey. The car i'm purchasing and the engine are located in the Bethlehem/Easton PA area.

If anyone's got some free time and is close...?


I'm picking up the car this weekend but i'm going to delay getting the engine til next week.

So far i'm going to keep the engine - my fiance is allready shaking her head no but i need something to tinker with!

[leathermang]

Leave the engine on the engine stand... just tie it all down well...
This is the safest thing for the engine....

[Pete Burton]

attach 4x4's or 2x6 to post boxes on top of the pickup bed, to make a quick "box" around the item to be held. I've used this method to move upright pianos with cast iron sounding boards - way heavier and higher CG than a 617.

[leathermang]

Don't they sell ROPE in CT ?

[Pete Burton]

Originally Posted by leathermang

Don't they sell ROPE in CT ?

no. We do have LINE though, for boats. We have CABLE for felling trees. CHAIN is for lifting engines, yanking stumps and pulling lobster pots. ROPE is for girl scouts and sissies.