The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Transporting a Stovebolt

Happy Halloween All,

I am heading to pick up a 261 this weekend, and all I have is my pickup. I was planning to start building the engine cart in the tech tip, but leave the castors off. That way I can set it on the box of my truck with the engine on top with it all strapped down.

My questions is does anyone know if the bottom of the oil pan will sit above or below the bottom of the 4x4s for the cart as shown in the tech tip? I want to be sure the pan won't contact the box.

Or is there an easier way to safely transport the engine in the back of a pickup? Thanks.

Tech Tip: https://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/engine_dolly.html

James

Hy GMCanada9430, the oil pan should not extend to below the bottom of the 4X4s in the picture of the engine cradle, hope that helps.

The ones I’ve seen on that design work great without casters, oil pan still above floor.

Another option to stabilize an engine is bolt a timber or piece of steel about 2’ to 3’ long to the bellhousing.
It’s wide enough to reduce chance of engine flopping over, and tall enough or blocked up high enough to keep oil pan off floor. The front mount set on another appropriate height block of wood.
48-53 you can easily run lag bolts vertically through the still installed engine mounts (remove tin flywheel cover)
Any year you can bolt the timber or steel angle or channel iron on the back of bell housing with two of the transmission attaching bolts/holes.

Problem with the suggested method is knowing ahead of time what supplies (and their dimensions) to bring if not available where the engine is. Advantage is this is quicker than making a whole stand, and cheap if you have some chunks of wood or a piece of angle iron handy.

Thanks to both of you for the confirmation. I will go forward with the plan.

James

I haul engines laid on their side on op of an old tire with ratchet straps.

I'm with Tom moore, except I strap 'em in upright, never had a problem other than damaging the tire. Hauled straights and vees this way many times.

I’m a tire and strap guy as well. Just watch you don’t crush your pan at all. I’ve never had a problem either. But if you don’t like oil or coolant getting in your truck box...😬 lay down a barrier! My father in law shakes his head at me sometimes. “What?” I say. “It’s a truck; it’s supposed to haul stuff!”

Congrats on finding your 261! Hope the pickup goes well.

Tire and ratchet strap has served me well for 55 years.

I've hauled several stovebolt engines hundreds of miles using a slightly modified version of the wooden cradle. Mine are made of 2X4 and 2X6 pressure treated lumber, and they support the engine along almost the full length of both oil pan rails. Those cradles are very stable, support the engine upright with no spillage, and only need a couple of ratchet straps to prevent tipping. I brought four engines back from last year's Homecoming on a 16 foot trailer that way, 700-something miles. I even had to make a couple of panic stops, thanks to idiot drivers.
Jerry

Thanks for all of the tips folks. Since I will be needing the cart in my shop anyways I might as well make one without castors for transport. At this point it is easier for me to build the dang cart than find an old tire haha. City life is hard. One other quick one for you all. I have access to a loader at the buyer's place, but at mine all I have is a 2-ton engine crane. Should I expect to use that to offload it? Or is there an easier way? James

I picked my 235 out of my F150 with an engine hoist. I had some long shoulder bolts that I threaded into 2 head bolt locations. Used a short sling with a couple of clevis to hook it

That sounds like a plan GMCanada9430. For off loading it, i would think unless you have some sort of overhead hoisting point the engine crane would be great. Others will chime in if there's something better tho. I love it when a plan comes together 😆

Thanks for the advice, folks. Looking forward to getting the engine home! James

The best thing would be to build a frame that would allow you to bolt at the motor mounts. But I have never done that. As said, an old tire works. I have also laid them on the manifold side. If you strap it down, remove the rocker cover so you don't cave it in. Good luck.

I use a stout pallet with two big adjustable wooden blocks that support the engine on each side of the oil pan.