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Anyone in Sydney (or close ish to) i can borrow an engine crane from? Happy to pay via ur choice of beer

Need to pull two engines (Carb EA82) one with auto attached the other with manual attached. Doing the auto to manual swap but also want to swap the engines while I'm at it. Working alone, rope not really an option. Outside, no roof to hoist from.

The local hire shop wants $56 for 4 hours and $70 for 24hour rental... I can buy an engine crane for 250. I could buy and then sell on ebay, taking my time rather than rushing over a one, maybe even 2 day hire.

What have you all done when converting $ pulling engines etc?

Engine crane definitely easiest method but theres a much cheaper way which I think might have been pioneered by the Vincent brothers here in WA.

Requires 2 people and a star picket.

- fit guard protectors to car (2 old bits of carpet will do)
- lay the star picked across the engine bay
- chain it to the motor
- each bloke gets a shoulder under each end of the star picket
- lift the engine out

suby motors aren't really that heavy....it works!

Might be a bit much with the gearboxes still attached andrew... but you never know unless you try it i guess, a few extra guys or even a frame to fit some extra guys in there could be the go.

Dad and i have lifted in and out a few EA82's over the past year or so, its a bit of effort but it can be done (we're not the strongest guys around). The gearbox could then be dropped out from underneath the car by jacking the car up (could then slot ramps under the front wheels maybe)

Other option is a strong tree branch, use an endless chain or winch to get it out, then push the car out of the way.

We've also made a tripod out of three old bits of steel (4 - 5 mtrs long) and a rod that was laying around. Using an endless chain it easily lifted out a wisconsin V4 (old school stationary engine with carst iron block & side valves, heavy as). Best thing is that its portable AND we can fit it in the shed over the pit...

Hope you get something sorted.

Bennie

heh yes...obviously that method is only really practical with the gearbox removed already. I probably should have mentioned that. I always remove the gearbox first because its pretty easy to do.

Easier to leave gearbox attached while removing - too much and time consuming to remove & fit gearbox from under the car.

yes go for engine crane, down here in Geelong I hired one for $55 for 24 hour hire with $25 excess if more than 12 hours after 24 hours.

Shop around and call heavy machinery places and or where you can hire compactors, log splitters, loo, saws, so on... They'll have one there.
Cheers
AP

I use a forklift

I have one not doing much (that I'm aware of) in Albion Park (just south of Wollongong).

If you don't get a better offer you're welcome to borrow it.

Will probably be bringing it up here early November so would need it back by then.

Jordan.

PeeJay wrote:I use a forklift

same easy isnt it

Hey there Smokey, something I can investigate at work is whether the maintenance fellas have something useful to do the job. Over the years, I've worked in some schools that have some metal work and/or mechanic subjects so they are decked out with all the gear needed for plastic and metal welding jobs or they someone who has the tools you need.

I'll ask, heck, I might even give you a hand since I've got a spare engine I might want to swap over some time in the future in my garage.

You will need a trolley to hold the motor assembly the unbolt the entire front end and slip it under the desired body it will save you a heap of time and can be done easily with 2 people or if you are on concrete and fairly mobile and a bit of strength you can manage it alone. I do however stress that while ever you are under a car supported by anything other than car stands you should have someone else there

Thanks all for the fast and informative replies, much appreciated as always!

AndrewT wrote:Engine crane definitely easiest method but theres a much cheaper way which I think might have been pioneered by the Vincent brothers here in WA.

Will be working on my own so unfortunately not really an option but good intuitive thinking, nice and cheap too without large bulky tools like the crane...

BaronVonChickenPants wrote:I have one not doing much (that I'm aware of) in Albion Park (just south of Wollongong).

Thanks Jordan I might end up taking you up on your offer however it is a fair hike (130km each way) so will investigate all my options and come back to u! I do want to use a crane though for safety reasons, and i need to get this part of the conversion done rather fast, then i can much around a bit more and take my time with the rest.

subalex wrote:Hey there Smokey, something I can investigate at work is whether the maintenance fellas have something useful to do the job. Over the years, I've worked in some schools that have some metal work and/or mechanic subjects so they are decked out with all the gear needed for plastic and metal welding jobs or they someone who has the tools you need.

I'll ask, heck, I might even give you a hand since I've got a spare engine I might want to swap over some time in the future in my garage.

Sounds great Alex, let me know if you come up with anything. I be calling local hire shops the rest of this week and look to be doing the physical swap over the 29/30 Sept WE. If you can get away and come over that would be fantastic, but no biggie if u can't either, I understand what the family weekends are like. No time to breath let alone engine conversions lol.

P.s sorry if I missed your reply, heaps of good advice there.