Block weight

[Anonymous]

Well, it looks like this week is the week I start my rebuild. The temperature is going to be in the eighties and cool in the evenings. The weekend is also looking pretty good.

Anyway...my question is this. What is the approx. weight of a 200 block with pistons, rods, crank, etc. ? Minus the head.

I don't the money to buy an engine hoist so I'm looking at developing one out of 4x4's and grade 8 lag screws.


Ideas?


-Chris

 

[Anonymous]

Don't know the actual weight?
But me and my dad picked mine up off the garage floor and loaded it by hand... try that with a V8

As for getting it out of the car? would be hard because of the body...

You can rent a hoist for about $30.00 a day and you will only need it for a couple of hours each time....? you would spend that in materials to make one....

 

[Anonymous]

Ya, I think I'm leaning towards building one. Besides, I enjoy construction. It's another one of my hobbies.


-Chris

 

[MustangSix]

The assembled long block (block, crank, pistons, cam, etc) weighs about 200 lbs. Two guys can easily lift it into place.

When I was mocking up the Locost, I had a bare block in the engine compartment with just the oil pan and timing cover in place. My neighbor and his son were watching as I plucked the head off then leaned over the engine compartment and single handledly lifted the (90lb) block out of the car! According to the neighborhood kids, you do NOT want to mess with me.....

 

[Anonymous]

According to the neighborhood kids, you do NOT want to mess with me.....

That's cool! I didn't think it was all that heavy but I thought I'd ask before I try lifting anything.


-Chris

 

[Hot 6t Falcon]

Hi,

Back in the day (1959 to 1968), when I didn't have a hoist, I did the follwing:

I lag bolted a 2"x8"x8' to one of the 2"x4" ceiling rafters of my garage. I the cut off two 4x4 posts so the were both a little (1/4") taller than the bottom of the rafter to the floor. I tapped them into place with a sledge hammer. These uprights need to be further apart (approx 18 inches)than the car is wide. I then lag-bolted a 45 degree 2"x4"by four feet to each side's vertical post and the rafter beam.

This pulled many HEAVY engines - 390 Fords, 326 Olds, 370 Pontiacs, etc.

When I was done, I'd remove and store the vertical posts and leave one lag bolt in the 45 degree supports so they would swing out of the way too.

Thanks for getting me to remember the good ol' days.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Dennis. The only problem I have is no garage. Next years project.

I think I'm going to rent a hoist. I called around yesterday and the average was $30 a day - just as Jimbo65 had mentioned. I still like the idea of building one but that would be alot of material to tear down and store (storage is another problem for me).

So, I think the rental route is my best option right now. Besides, I hope this doesn't become routine for me.


-Chris

 

[MustangSix]

I was at Costco yesterday and noticed that the hoist was only $199. You can't lift a 392 Hemi with it, but it would be fine for most small and even big block engines.

What if you got together with 3 or 4 friends and made a group purchase. Agree to keep it at somebody's house until you need it. That would only cost a little bit more than renting for a single day and you'd have it for future use. You also wouldn't be rushed to finish in one day.

 

[Anonymous]

yeah, i saw a really nice hoist for $220 and it was Ford Blue. i want it now and i've only took out one engine which was a four cylinder from a mazda.

 

[Anlushac11]

8)

I bought my hoist off Ebay. It was $129 and IIRC was about $60 shipping. I then had to spend another $20 in bolts cause 1/2 were missing and had to drill 2 new sets of holes since the factory drilled holes were of by a mile.

I have it assembled now but it is still a bit cheaper than whats available locally and solved the problem of how to get it home.

 

[addo]

A little reminder on lifting...

My mate Dan has several damaged vertebrae. Nonetheless, he regularly over-reaches (pun intended) his physical limits on heavy lifts, and has to go for rounds of painkilling injections and physiotherapy. I do any heavy work on his car for this reason, but can't stop him doing something daft otherwise!

If you've got (or have had) any kind of back injury, or just aren't used to lifting heavy weights, be VERY careful. Better safe than sorry. It's often enough that I get to see homeowners trying to keep up with the tradesmen when they're no used to it - and end up with strains or extreme fatigue. Same deal here; don't feel you have to work like a pro if you're a beginner.

Adam.

p.s. My engine hoist is in the park across from me. It's a big brush box tree with a low, horizontal branch 6" thick. :roll:

 

[Anonymous]

You're right on the money Adam.

Lift with your legs and not your back either!


Well, I've unbolted and removed just about everything except the torque converter from the engine. Tomorrow morning I'm headed for the local rental shop. I've decided to atleast get the engine out and onto the stand tomorrow. I'm in no real hurry so if it takes me a couple of weeks to rebuild - so be it. Then I'll rent the hoist again to install it.

I really wanted to buy one but this is one item I don't think I'll be using much of - hopefully. Plus...funds are VERY limited right now.

So...we'll see....


-Chris

 

[Rustang Racer]

I've pulled and installed complete 5.0 engines with a come-along and once with a chain fall. Once I hooked it to my basketball hoop (not the rim though) but I usually just hook it to a strong tree branch. Not the best way to do it (or even a good way), but it works if you already have one of those around.