Dauntless Question...

picking up my engine this weekend and I wanted to build a cradle for it instead of a tire..

any suggestions and measurements would be great since ill be working blind..

maybe just some good oil pan measurements would help..
height of pan to flange
L x W?

 

I have made two of these now, one for the same thing...taking motor to and from machine shop and one for shipping a motor on a pallet. I made mine to use the factory motor mounts. I can get exact measurements tonight.

 

Oil pan is 7 3/4" wide (excluding flange), 5 1/4" deep
Flange is 7/8" wide (inside flange where bolts are), 13 1/2" long

If you want to go the motor mount method like I did, just let me know and I can provide those measurements too.

 

I don't have pics nor dimensions handy right now but I use a tight fitting wood cradle.

The 1/2" thick sides are roughly 5-1/2" " tall .
Just tall enough to clear the bottom of oil pan.
The oil pan flange rests down upon on these 2 side boards.

The side boards are nailed together at front and rear using a 2 x 3" up front. and a 2 x 4" at rear.
Front cross tie has to clear cross board needs to fit under the crank pulley.
Rear cross tie fits just foreward of the rear engine bellhousing surface.
The cross tie does not interfere with bellhousing installed.

Engine sets very solid on / in the cradle and will not tip over easily.
A snug fitting wood cradle will stay in place when engine is lifted.

Maybe will have pics and the exact dimensions tomorrow ....

 

Thank you. thats excellent...
Figure I could knock something together quick out of wood to sit around the wheel wells of my Comanche...

 

If the engine is dry (no oil in pan) just flip it and bring it upside down.
Otherwise I've often just brought several pieces short pieces of 2x4 and 1x4, a hand saw (never needed) a screw gun, drill bits and screws and a few bolts to fit bell housing and bracket bolt holes up front.
Basically construct two squat "A" shaped props (2x4 sloping members 1x4 cross piece at bottom and bolt it front and rear. after attached use a couple lengths of 1x4 to tie the front and rear together. I've built similar and screwed it to a pallet for shipping engines cross country with no problems

 

Finally got me pic host site since Photojunket.

This snug fitting cradle will stay in place if engine is lifted but easily comes off with a few taps.
Pretty solid to roll it about if setting on a low dolly as pictured.
I never push on it sideways......
A little foam wrapping was used to protect the paint...

Side boards 3/4" x 5-1/2" x 15-1/2"


Front 1-1/2" x 3" x 7-5/8"


REAR 1-1/2" x 3" x 7-5/8" (one end can be made 4" tall)


Engine will sit here on the dolly a couple years till I'm ready for it.
I can mount the flywheel and bell housing without problems.

 

Red wheels....
. Now that's my favorite.