The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk How much does it weigh??

I bought an old 235 ci engine and tranny this week and am going to pick it up today in my '50 half ton. Can anyone tell me how much the combo will weigh? The seller will lift it in the bed with a tractor and loader but I'm going to try taking it out with 4 guys and a case of beer, then put it on the engine stand I built yesterday using the plans found on the Tech Tips site.

Can we do it?

Spot

If the 4 guys are reasonably strong you can do it. However a come along in a tree would be much easier.

Thanks for the idea Kenneth. I didn't think about that. Only problem is I don't own a come-along. Looked at some at Harbor Freight here in San Antonio just yesterday but didn't buy. For now I'll just recruit the guys. BTW, love going to Fredericksburg. Nice little town.

Spot

probably 600 pounds

I'd pull the tranny off first, it's a monster by itself. Engine alone is over 600 lbs so you better be sure each of your buds can lift and carry 150 pounds each.

If you intend to do anything other than just get it off your truck and look at it, you're going to need a hoist so why not just get one now? They aren't really that expensive.

BE CAREFUL, this is a good way to lose a finger!

I have never liked handling equipment with just manpower. Sometimes there is just no choice - in one of those situations one guy stepped in a hole leaving the others with the load. It was set down VERY quickly - thankfully no one was hurt.

You are going to be handling that engine many times. Get the correct setup and save yourself a lot of pain and trouble.

Keep beer COLD and UNOPENED until you get the engine where you want it. Beer guns, electricity and heavy loads just are not a good match.

Dan Bentler

You provide the beer guns and cigars and I can bring about 20
young hee men. we could pull the whole truck. Whoops, did I say we? I only supervise.

Standard shift or automatic? Ths cast iron Powerglide is close to 300 pounds by itself, stick shift more like 75-80. I'd pull the trans first, then get a LONG piece of 2" or larger pipe so 2 or 3 guys can lift from both sides. Be sure you bolt the lift chain to something secure, like a couple of cylinder head bolts! Once it's on the ground, do yourself a favor and rent or buy a very sturdy cherry picker. These things are heavy and awkward, and even a light-duty lift has problems with being tipsy.
Jerry

I would invest in some equipment. It isn't worth the risk to injure someone for the few dollars saved. Done it once and never again. Broke my back 20 years ago and I almost never lift anything heavy anymore or ask anyone else for that matter. That is what mechanical advantage is for.

maybe cletis will let you borrow
this

A suggestion, moved lots of stuff this way.
Make that trip to Harbour Freight and buy a roll around 4 wheel dolly, about $8. I used one of these to move a 350. Lay that motor on a piece of plywood. Use some 2x6 for a ramp.Slide the motor down the ramp onto the dolly. Now you are ready to drink beer. Better yet buy 2 dollys.

Yeah, where is Cletis when I need him?!?! Wish I had his tow truck right now.
Thanks for the ramp idea Hankrags. I've already made the engine stand from the plans on tech tips. Now I've just got to get the motor onto it.

I know that lifting such a heavy item is dangerous, but I don't have a hydralic lift. They aren't expensive but I'm working out of my 2 car garage and it's already bursting at the seams. I'd only use the lift once or twice and then it would just take up space. A friend might have one he could lend me, so that's a possibility. I will think this through and will only move it after a safe plan is developed and in place. I won't endanger myself or my friends. Thanks for the concern guys......I appreciate it and all the good ideas.

Spot

Depending on where you live, there's usually a tool rental place somewhere nearby with an engine lift available. Lots of the places around Nashville have them equipped with pneumatic tires and a trailer hitch, so it's just a hook up and tow situation to get one home.
Jerry

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2416904540101330996YNhhOo


Under $25.00 at your local big box store

Hey Jerry.....thanks for reminding me of the obvious. I hadn't considered renting a lift. Maybe that outfit that shares the building with Lowes will have one. I'll check later this afternoon.

Kip.....that's some contraption you built there to serve as your lift. I don't have enough room to build an A-frame as big (nor do I need one that big!)as yours but it gave me an idea. I could buy a small chain pulley lift or a substantial come-along and attach it to a big tree limb, back the truck underneath it and hoist it off that way, then lower it on the new engine stand I built and then roll it on boards to the driveway and into the garage. Yep, that just might work!!

Thanks guys!

Spot

The professional car thieves north of Chattanooga, Tennessee have it down to a science- - - - -they park the car under a tree with a low-hanging limb, cut away all the engine and transmission mounts with a torch, and rip all the seat belts out. Clip the seat belt over the tree limb, stick the other end into the fan belt, and hit the starter. The engine cranks itself out of the engine compartment by rolling up the seat belt in the pulleys. They push the body shell away, back a pickup under the hanging engine/trans assembly, and cut the belts. They can have the whole running gear out of one in under 30 minutes!
Jerry

I found a cheap chain hoist on Craigslist ($50) and hooked it to the roof joist in the garage. Extra 4x4's under the 2x12 joist. Left two small holes in the drywall, but that was okay. Rented a leveler for it. Worked great.

Jerry........those thieves in Tennessee are desperate, aren't they?!?! Can't imagine going to all that trouble for an engine!
But then again, what else does a red-neck have to do on a Saturday night, right?!?!

David.......I've thought about doing the very same thing and using the rafters to attach a chain hoist, but I don't want to go through the sheetrock. I'll use the oak tree limb in the front yard instead. It's sturdy enough and will do the trick.

Thanks guys!

Chuck

Well, I have a plan and I believe it will work. I was at Sam's Club this afternoon after work and found a Reese brand come-along for $16.85. It's rated at 2 tons with a working lift load of 1,500 lbs. I plan to attach it to a huge limb in one of the live oak trees in the front yard, back the truck underneath, and lift the engine/tranny high enough to clear. Then I'll slowly lower it onto the stand I made and then wheel it to the driveway on 2X6 ramps, then into the garage.

Should work.

Chuck