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I'd get a two ton. The one ton isn't quite as long as it needs to be to clear the haunches of the Corvette. Most other cars you can pick from the front, but the engine in these cars is WAY too far back for that.
I have a one ton and had to mess with the chain to get an extra couple of inches. Even then, I had to tinker to get over the center of the engine.
As far as brand, the cheaper the better. It has not been one of those tools that I use all the time. Harbor Freight has been good for me so far.
I have a long reach two ton and it has about 2 inches from the side of the front fender when I pulled the engine and trans. Mine has the fold up "front" legs to save space in storage. I like the bigger caster wheels since they seem to roll so much easier.
I had a sweet gantry style that didnt make it in the move,
Since i have to pull and install an engine soon i have to buy a crane or picker style, i think cl has them dirt cheap,
Ah no, one cat is even trying to get 100.00 more that horror tool fright gets, same one, then i think borrow or rent one but dont wanna fool with that,
Ill get the 2 ton from horror ( one ton isnt long enough for corvettes as if the bar is fully extended its only 500lb )
Horror tool fright has 25 % off coupons a lot but once in a while 50% off,
Im watching for those coupons,
I know horror has a cheap junk stigma but the reviews on these are good, besides the guys who dont know how to put it together correctly,
I had a sweet gantry style that didnt make it in the move,
Since i have to pull and install an engine soon i have to buy a crane or picker style, i think cl has them dirt cheap,
Ah no, one cat is even trying to get 100.00 more that horror tool fright gets, same one, then i think borrow or rent one but dont wanna fool with that,
Ill get the 2 ton from horror ( one ton isnt long enough for corvettes as if the bar is fully extended its only 500lb )
Horror tool fright has 25 % off coupons a lot but once in a while 50% off,
Im watching for those coupons,
I know horror has a cheap junk stigma but the reviews on these are good, besides the guys who dont know how to put it together correctly,
I bought mine from them a hundred years ago and still working good
I found a cheater method for extending is standard cherry picker. Most of us have a engine stand the universal type. The piece that goes forward to the front wheels on the engine stand will slide right into the boom on the end of the standard cherry picker. Now you're hanging the engine in front of the front wheels, so you need to add weight to the back of the cherry picker. I usually do this with a boat, it's much more mobile, so changing it to a couple of spare. Big box behind the Hoist is not a problem. But you might need to just stack a bunch of weight on the back arms where the wheels are.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I use the harbor freight 2 ton. From the side with moving blankets on the fender to protect the paint. I use the engine tilted from them as well but you have to improve the handle and grease the crap out of it. I take the front ires off as well to move it around easily
I had it on stands once but use my quick jack now. I can move the car up and down to help when I put the motor in or pull it. I leave the 4 speed in the car and pull the motor and bell housing. But bolt it up as a unit to install it. It's a lot easier to do than try and get the shaft to go in the flywheel bushing.
Harbor Freight 2-ton with fold able legs.
I don't have storage space to keep one between projects.
I'll watch and buy one with their coupon or on sale, use it for a project and then sell it for what I paid for it new.
They sell quickly too.
I found a cheater method for extending is standard cherry picker. Most of us have a engine stand the universal type. The piece that goes forward to the front wheels on the engine stand will slide right into the boom on the end of the standard cherry picker. Now you're hanging the engine in front of the front wheels, so you need to add weight to the back of the cherry picker. I usually do this with a boat, it's much more mobile, so changing it to a couple of spare. Big box behind the Hoist is not a problem. But you might need to just stack a bunch of weight on the back arms where the wheels are.
The issue with that is as the boom gets longer load capacity is decreased
Im bringing this up as a busted boom could do horrible damage and even kill people,
Scary side story i borrowed a come a long style winch, not hoist from a buddy,
When i went to use it to pull something together the lug popped off the end of the cable,
I called him he was floored he had just used it against its lable warning as an engine hoist....he could have really gotten fubar
We also used a Harbor Freight 2 ton, with the right front on a jack stand with tire removed, moving blankets for the fender, and some EXCELLENT advise from fellow forum members, we raised the rear. This changed the angle of the car, let the engine & auto trans slip right in, AND made it easier to get a creeper under it for the trans cross member.
w/oldgto make it easy & safe
when that hoist is all the way up accidents happen easier; those 2 tons work fine, have lifted entire steel bodys off frames multiple times with one. Pull a few pins & put it away worth every penny
No worries with the HF 2 Ton lift.
I've had one for years, and have lifted several steel bodies, countless engine transplants, even did an engine transplant on my brother's single engine airplane!
The only problem I have ever had was a broken caster while lifting a backhoe attachment on my tractor. I must admit that it was pretty badly over stressed that day!
