transporting an engine, any best practices?

hi folks,

i am picking up a running 258 engine next week.

PO pulled it out of his jeep, and it will be complete from clutch to power steering pump including Mopar EFI and all the wires that go with that.

she is complete and running, so whats the best way to get this home safely?

the PO has a cherry picker, so getting it into the truck will be easy.

i was thinking about bringing some scrap 2x4's and screw together a base for the oil pan to sit in, and then strap her down.

you guys have any tips / pics for transporting an engine?


thanks

 

I think your idea is a good one. I helped my boss transport one just like that and it worked great. Do you have one now that you can measure and make the bracket in advance? Might save some cutting and bracing on the spot.

Bring plenty of straps to get all the angles.

 

Yep, set it upright on a tire and strap it down real good. A six will want to tip over, so make sure the bottom can't slide out from under it.

 

^What timgr said is good advice-a V8 will kinda lay over on 1 exhaust manifold & ride ok sitting on an old tire, but the I6 you'll probably want to keep it upright to prevent damage to external components. I'd get at least 4 ratchet straps, and tie it off to each corner of the truck bed.

 

Put an f-head in the back of a Subaru wagon a week ago. Off my truck tailgate, down a plank and it was in. Just get yours in solid, brace and strap it and go.

 

I've done it both ways, and I agree with the "old tire" method!!!
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Id dump all the oil out of her,, or it might be all over your bed or up in the heads or valves when you get it home,, Mine sit in the back of my truck on a tire (for 300miles) till I got to my lane ,, then it slide to the tail gate & bent it out ,,,

 

We always used the old tire method to haul motors at the junkyard

 

Yup, old tire and ratchet straps method.

 

I say get some boards, cut them to fit and make a nice little cradle for your engine...cushion it with some nice foam padding, with a cover of course. Use braces for the sides, front and rear...and strap it down tight.

or you can just set it in some old tire.

 

I make stands at home for my inline by, cutting some 2x8 to fit along side the pan and the bottom of the block to sit on, then some cross pieces wider than the motor front and back to seperate the uprites that make a cradle. Set down motor in-between up rightes and then strap motor down. The wood is soft, so it won't damage motor, should be good to go. Simple, if you look at how they ship motors on pallets, you will get the idea.

 

I use tires here also. i have a really wide lo pro car tire just saved for hauling engines. it works great.

 

Make sure it (or any heavy load) braced tight up against the front of the box.
Unit loading on a strap will go way up if you hit something on the way home.
Guy at work had a water tank come loose and slide into the back of the cab, wasn't pretty.

 

thanks for all the input guys... i appreciate it..

 

thanks again all for the input...

i brought wood and a tire...

tire won out...

no issues... no need to drain the oil.. she sat sturdy with some straps from each corner..


thanks all for replies and personal messages..