Searched but found nothing about local engine transportation. I'm thinking of picking up a local longblock this weekend but was wondering how to get it on and off a truck/van. Is there a particular type of vehicle with a lift that I can rent for the job?

 

A couple guys in decent shape can probably move a long block around by hand without any special equipment. I am skinny as hell and I can move a short block around by myself.

 

So lifting on and off a pickup truck or van bed is possible with two people?

 

Without the tranny and flywheel/clutch it is probably possible. The longblocks weigh around 325-350lbs without tranny. It wont be easy but you guys could do it.

 

It comes with a clutch and flywheel attached. So it is going to be close to the 400lbs territory!

 

I've seen two people move a refrigerator by slinging straps around the bottom of it and around their shoulders. I don't really know how much a fridge ways though. It was a good way of moving something big and heavy.

 

Its can be done with 2 200lb guys. I lift a shortblock with flywheel attached up into my Chevy Tahoe. Lifting a longblock would be as akward as it would be difficult. Its just not easy for two guy to grab onto.

Why not just take an engine hoisnt with you in the back of the truck?

 

my brother and me pulled a tII motor by standing on the fenders and lifting it out by hand.
it wasnt that heavy but there was no tranny attached.

 

I just barely managed to lift a shortblock and stick in the trunk of my Mini Cooper. Fricking pita. Almost through my back out and almost scratched my car doing so.

I'd suggest renting a dolly or hand truck (forget what you call them) from Uhaul. They have one that is used to move appliances that has straps that you can use to wrap around the block and secure it to the hand truck thing.

If you also rent a Uhaul truck with a ramp, you can then just walk it right up the ramp and into the truck. Easy as pie, one man job at that point.

 

get a long metal bar that can support the weight of the engine. hook a chain onto the engine, wrap it around the bar to give it more contact area to reduce slippage along the bar, then connect the other end of the chain to the engine. then you can use the bar to lift the engine by having a person or two (depending on the length of the bar and personnel availability) under each end of the bar, putting the bar on your shoulder. by far the easiest way to do it with minimal equipment and without risking throwing your back out.

or you can use a normal ol' engine hoist.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I need a hoist in any case so I think I will buy one and rent a truck.

 

Hey Martin, thanks for the great deal on the tanabe sway bars.

I would just take the front passenger seat out of you BMW, and put the engine in there and drive carefully. Just make sure to use a lot of cardboard to cover the car. And strap down the engine. You would not want to launch your engine into you dash during a sudden stop.

Two normal size adults can lift an engine onto a truck. You will need a stool/stand or chair. Just in case you cant lift the engine onto the truck in one motion. You just lift the gine onto the chair and then onto the truck.