autoxinvr6[quote="dilbert wrote:
What about a normal engine hoist and a sheet of plywood...
This isn't a bad idea at all. My only worry would be how well the plywood stood up to A 150lb engine lift + 500lbs of motor./trans HF's folding lift is on their website at $179, which is likely what the total cost of a wood gantry would be, possibly less. Anyone attempted the plywood trick with success?[/quote]
I'm late to the party, but figure'd I'd share.
I've used the plywood trick for my engine crane before. It works well, but you'll want to be using 3/4". Thin stuff won't do, you'll put wheels through it, unless you're willing to put down multiple sheets. Thinking about it, it might be cheaper and stronger to use 3 sheets of 7/16" OSB, depending on what 3/4 ply costs vs OSB. You may need help rolling it around (big pry bars, come-alongs, ratchet straps, small tractor, etc).
And engine cranes aren't just for engines in cars. I've used it to pull the 350 Chev / Velvet drive combo out of my boat, and that must weigh 900 lbs, with the crane fully extended. Or even limited to engines. I've used it to move 2 Bridgeport Milling Machines, Lathes, even to pull broken off fence posts out of the ground. A very useful piece of hardware. One of the Bridgeports was moved across my backyard using a pallet jack, garden tractor, engine lift, and 3 sheets of 3/4 ply, and that was probably 1500lbs of iron (head & turret top were off to "lighten" it).
JustDreamin