Getting the engine off the trailer and into the workshop

28 November 2010

The view before the transfer process began.

I had an approximately 270-300 pound engine sitting on my trailer and needed a way to transfer it from there onto my workbench in MyWorkshop. I didn't have any way of maneuvering the engine or, looking ahead, any way of lifting the engine or anything else heavy in the shop, so I took advantage of Thanksgiving sales specials and picked up an electrical hoist from Harbor Freight, saving $40 and shipping. I then spent an hour rigging my rafters with a full-length rod and attached the hoist to it. Transfer from the trailer into the workshop then required rigging various ropes to get the right angles to drag it up a thick plank onto the workbench, where I called it a weekend. A sequence of pictures shows the process of rigging and re-rigging to make the transfer. The engine ended as planned on the workbench, ready for disassembly. Next steps are getting the Shop Manuals and beginning to take it apart for further inspection and cleaning.

After rigging and levering the engine up onto the plank, the hoist begins dragging it up the ramp.

The hoist made it easy. Rigging can be seen in the foreground

The engine surveys its new home before entering...

This rigging transfer to the stops, after securing the engine, the rigging was readjusted for the next portion.

The engine is still dripping from the power washing it got.

Ready for work - disassembly will follow as soon as I have the Shop Manuals.

-- NormanSmit - 28 Nov 2010