I have an interesting problem approaching... my x-flow engine has been sitting on its engine stand for many months, and the time for lifting it into the car is getting close (whoopee!).

The problem is, I assembled the engine on the stand and lifted the block into place by hand. Now it's fully equipped I will have to use my engine hoist - and I can't see how I'm going to lift it securely.

More importantly, once the engine is off the stand I will be fitting the flywheel and clutch, then attaching the gearbox and putting the whole thing in the car. I have NO IDEA how I'm going to lift that!

I had a Pinto engine for a while (I went and had a lie down and got over it ) but at least that had a couple of lifting points bolted on. The X-flow doesn't have such luxuries - and I don't see how I could fit some, if I made my own.

Any useful suggestions? How have other folk done it?

cheers,

David

I recently purchased a 'Load Leveller' from Machine Mart and have already used it a couple of times. It comes with chains which you can bolt to the engine at convenient points but I use a couple of polypropylene rope slings (10mm rope) and it works just fine. You can use it to tilt the engine (or engine and box) to the required angle. Seeing as you already have an engine hoist then I thoroughly reccommend it.
John

I use the manifold bolts to attach a bracket then the chain or rope to the bracket.
if you use a chain you can put a screwdriver through one of the links and wedge it against the lifting hook on the crane,you then can level the engine and box out

David

if you look at my pics on TOL i might still have the ones up of me roping and lifting the engine.

Basically, i used strong blue nylon rope, and as the engine was a V6, it wapped it around both manifolds each side, and a turn or two around the front of the crank shaft.

As conrod says, making up mounts from the exhaust will help, but thats just one side.

Why not make a couple tabs up and bolt to the head studs? with a little bit of bracketry, it should be easy. most engines have lots of redundant tapped holes or mounting points you could attatch and lift by.

i put my whole v6 wih gearbox in - its not one of the harderst things i have done.


atb

steve

try using old seat belts as i belive they have a breaking point in the region of 2tonne (Dont quote me!) i have used lorry webbing, the webbibg that drivers use to secure loads onto flat decks, hard to explain but the stuff that looks like seat belts (Hence why i suggested seat belts!) may be a bit hard to get hold of but well worth it if you can get holg of it! i did this and cradled the engine in it with no problems!

rob