The best engine hoist?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Point Pleasant NJ
The best engine hoist?
What are your guys recommendations as an engine hoist for the C3. I am just worried about the stretch and nose and all when I go in for the kill... hehe... Thanks
Spook :grouphug:
Spook :grouphug:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,349
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Re: The best engine hoist? (Spook)
This is not a wisecrack. For the Corvette, my favorite is a 1 ton chain hoist on a beam across the top of the garage, so you can lift, and roll to the side, then drop back down.
If you use a cherry picker, you run into all kinds of problems with that LONG nose. You have to go in angular, like under the front wheels. It's a multiperson job for sure. So use a cherry picker with the longest stretch you can find. Even that tends to be hairy.
If you use a cherry picker, you run into all kinds of problems with that LONG nose. You have to go in angular, like under the front wheels. It's a multiperson job for sure. So use a cherry picker with the longest stretch you can find. Even that tends to be hairy.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: The best engine hoist? (Spook)
Regaurding the C3, I think most people recomend removing a front tire and bringing the hoist in from the side. Some others will chime in with advice too. I havnt yet pulled a C3 engine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: The best engine hoist? (Jvette73)
When I pulled the engine from my '74 the car was still on my car trailer and we went in from the side (pulled engine only) didn't remove the hood either. it's tight but it can be done.
favorite hoist is the one I made from plans myself, it's the same as the NASCAR guys use.
Steve :steering:
favorite hoist is the one I made from plans myself, it's the same as the NASCAR guys use.
Steve :steering:
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: The best engine hoist? (Jvette73)
Heres a pic of my engine hoist. Wrap a chain around top beam and attach a come along cable puller. Lift the engine and push the car back. Then drop the engine into wheel barrow or truck bed. It requires devising a plan to hold the tranny up since the jack needs to be removed to roll the car back. I usually stick a chunk of wood between frame rails or above tail housing to support the trans up while moving the car.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
From: Pleasant Valley MO
Re: The best engine hoist? (Spook)
I like my shop tow truck. I just callem up when ready to remove and reinstall. I have done this on every motor I ever pulled including my jetboat when I had it. You dont have to find a place to store it also. Works great with a carb plate. My guys dont charge me, but I think going rate would be $25 to $30, depending on area. You dont have to jack the car up and remove front tires. just back the tow truck up, lower the boom and cable, hook up the carb plate, and winch it out and set it on your stand. Then off goes you engine hoist. :cheers: :cheers: Larry
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Point Pleasant NJ
Re: The best engine hoist?
Haha...
Thanks for the help so far I do approve however I dont think I am going to be building any special frames around the house for the job. And I am not so sure about having a tow truck come to rip out the heart of my ride...
Spook
Thanks for the help so far I do approve however I dont think I am going to be building any special frames around the house for the job. And I am not so sure about having a tow truck come to rip out the heart of my ride...
Spook
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: The best engine hoist? (Spook)
Know anybody with a backhoe or a front end loader. Ive done em that way too. My friend had a Kubota tractor with a loader on the front. That was a snap. Defintly gotta trust the operator on this one.
:smash: :smash: :smash:
:smash: :smash: :smash:
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: The best engine hoist? (PureSilver)
A load leveler can help greatly. It allows you to tilt the engine (+ tranny)
to help clear obstacles - like the fenders and nose. I agree - go from the side
seems to be the method of choice for a normal engine crane.
:seeya
to help clear obstacles - like the fenders and nose. I agree - go from the side
seems to be the method of choice for a normal engine crane.
:seeya
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: The best engine hoist? (NHvette)
As Dave said use a tilter. I found a great American made hoist at a swap meet for $220 with a 5.5' Boom. I had the car on jack stands 24" and still was able to pull the engine/Th400 one shot from the front, but used the tilter to make it. It's 5' from the center of the bumper to the center of the carb. I couldn't find a rental place with a hoist boom that long.
Gary
Gary
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: The best engine hoist? (Spook)
It's easier without,what tranny do you have? Although it's about the same for an auto vs manual.I have never pulled and engine from the side of a vette either from the front or overhead. The tilter made pulling the auto with the engine possible.
Gary
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: The best engine hoist? (gtr1999)
Gary
It was the 1st time I pulled an engine from the side, it was tight but there is room. as I said before the car was still on the car trailer (deck hight about 15" off the ground).
Steve :steering:
It was the 1st time I pulled an engine from the side, it was tight but there is room. as I said before the car was still on the car trailer (deck hight about 15" off the ground).
Steve :steering:
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: The best engine hoist? (stpman)
I got lucky and found a used hoist that is super heavy duty of the garage type. I just pulled a BB from a 73. Even with this LARGE hoist I had to come in from the right hand side. There is not enough boom for the long nose. The beam cranks up to about 108" which was needed to clear the block over the fenders.
Have read quite a few posts of people having to take off the tires and dorp down almost on the rotors to get clearance. This is where the boom going up to 103-108" is needed. Use a leveler to tilt the engine and getting it out is not a problem.
Get a heavy duty hoist and leveler. The big box stores are selling some that I would be very leary of putting an engine on. They look weak.
Have read quite a few posts of people having to take off the tires and dorp down almost on the rotors to get clearance. This is where the boom going up to 103-108" is needed. Use a leveler to tilt the engine and getting it out is not a problem.
Get a heavy duty hoist and leveler. The big box stores are selling some that I would be very leary of putting an engine on. They look weak.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: The best engine hoist? (bigvette1)
Get a heavy duty hoist and leveler. The big box stores are selling some that I would be very leary of putting an engine on. They look weak.
That's why I like the one I have. I built it myself from plans, I can break it down and put it in my truck in less than 5 minutes. rated for 1500 pounds at the end of the hook. it has seen lots of use since being built almost 20 years ago.
Steve :steering:
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: The best engine hoist? (Spook)
Without seeing them, who can tell. Here are specs that I would look for:
- The fold down type are not as strong as the ones that disassemble.
- The boom should be reinforced and have a rating of at least 2 tons. This is a safety margin. Height should crank up to at least 103 - 108".
- The hydralics should be have a rating of at least 3-4 tons of capacity.
- The casters should be all steel. I have seen many that are the type on tool boxes and have a label - don't roll around with an engine on the hoist. How do you get the engine to a stand?
Shop locally look around and then compare with what you see on ebay.
- The fold down type are not as strong as the ones that disassemble.
- The boom should be reinforced and have a rating of at least 2 tons. This is a safety margin. Height should crank up to at least 103 - 108".
- The hydralics should be have a rating of at least 3-4 tons of capacity.
- The casters should be all steel. I have seen many that are the type on tool boxes and have a label - don't roll around with an engine on the hoist. How do you get the engine to a stand?
Shop locally look around and then compare with what you see on ebay.
