Jerry, I shipped a 235 to TN last week and estimated the weight including the pallet for Fastenal at 750 pounds. That included a complete long block (drained) with all of the accessories, the bellhousing, clutch assembly and flywheel. It also included the wooden cradle that I bolted to the pallet to strap the engine to. I did the estimate by weighing parts separately and knowing that a short block weighs about 320 pounds.
I made one of the wooden cradles as described in Tech Tips, mounted it to the pallet with lag bolts, then strapped the engine to it with a couple ratchet straps. I told the buyer that he could unbolt the cradle and simply add casters to it to make a dolly for the engine.
To load it, first I put the pallet on my truck, then I strapped the engine to the cradle, then I lifted the engine/cradle on to the pallet with my cherry picker, then I bolted the cradle to the pallet. The guys at Fastenal unloaded it with a forklift.
Hope this helps,
Matt
