Evening All,
Hope this is in the right section and folk don't think it's a stupid query.

I am hoping to collect a 2.0l pinto engine in the near future. Having had no previous experience at moving engines,would I be able to move the engine in a Citroen Xsara hatchback?

Regards

David

but if it has a gearbox etc, i'm not so sure

Shouldn't be a problem. I'd take a toolkit though, just in case you need to remove any ancillaries (and the gearbox??)

Steve

I put a fully built Xflow in the boot of a Mondeo Saloon. I know that the pinto is a larger engine but there is usually more space in a hatchback, especially with the seats down, so it should fit OK.

Just mind it doesn't leak oil everywhere.

The Xsara has a really weak back panel, so don't put any weight on it!

and the pinto weighs a ton. so be careful!!

Bend your knees, not your back !!!

Vintage,

I recently moved my Pinto (no g/box) in the boot of a 306 hatchback.

Space was not an issue, but the WEIGHT definitely was. You will not safely lift it in/out on your own without risking damaging yourself or the car.

Also as DavidM says watchout for oil and muck. I put a sheet of polythene down, with loads of rags to protect the boot of the car.

good luck!

HTH

Nick

I have painful expereince here.

I picked a short engine up (2.0 pinto) and between two of us, we heaved it into the boot of My Audi A4 avant. Bloody heavy, really bloody bloody bloody heavy. about 100kgs, and awkward. It had been drained, although the contents of the oil filter had not drained (always happens), one of the head studs punctured the polythene the engine was on, and about 1/2 litre of oil soaked into the boot carpet. On top of all that, on a wet and windy sunday night, I thought i might be able to heave it out with a little help here and there from the girlfriend. no chance! My fault for expecting her to be able to lift as much as me. Silly sod.

Had to ask one of the neighbours to come and help me out. I was soaked, covered in oil, VERY pissed off, and had £130 of knackered boot carpet. Cleaned it up though!! Took about 5 hours and 1/2 litre of Fairy liquid concentrate and a scrubbing brush in the bath.

Take the following:

A LOT of corrugated cardboard (soaks up oil before it gets into the boot carpet

Plenty of thick polythene. Make a bathtub shape out of it around the edges of the boot space, and up against the backs of the front seats: will contain oil and muck.

A TORX T55 (assuming a late engine: theyre spline bolts if earlier engine) male bit, 1/2 inch drive, and a 16" breaker bar to whip the head off: youre then dealing with lighter chunks. You will also want to have a reasonable 3/8 drive socket set to take things like th rocker cover off to get at the head bolts. Also take a mallet/screwdriver: the rocker cover gaskets are crap, and quite often people hylomar/mastic the cover on to stop oil weeing from everywhere. The bottom end then weighs in at around 70kg including covers and water pump, etc, and the head at around 30 (not joking, weighed the parts myself).

However, it is possible, but do check on the price of a new bot carpet if it all goes wrong. Also, take a strong mate with you!!

Best of luck to you: it is possible.

ed.

Forgot to mention above that the head and bottom end were seperated before moving.

Not sure I'd have even attempted to move it in one piece!

Nick

Morning All,

Thanks very much for all the advice. I've now decided that discretion is the better part of valour and am going to hire a small van and engine hoist.

Regards

David

That has got to be a winner for the health and safety boffins!

maybe I'm missing something here but a Pinto 'short block' isn't THAT heavy....

quite happily lifted mine onto a 4ft bench on my own without any particular amount of strain (OK fly wheel and sump pan were removed but that's not a huge amount of difference)

Either I don't know my own strength - doubtful
or your all a bunch of soft northerners.....

[Edited on 26/2/04 by protofj]

err, a short pinto engine including the head is 100kg or so.

You'd snap a fart string trying to lift that!!

Let me reiterate, a short pinto motor is FUCKING heavy.

Ahem, 'scuse my angl-saxon!

Ed.

Re the van and engine hoist: this will make it an enjoyable day, rather than a nightmare. If youre happy about the few extra quid to hire the stuff, its SOOOOO much a better idea.

nice one.

Ed.