unloading a engine from van without engine crane - how?

[vrooom]

I may buy a used engine and hiring a van to collect the engine... the guy is helping me to load the engine into van but how do i unload the engine off the van without injuring myself at home? hiring engine crane isnt option unless i can get it at short notice.

this is a old 4cyl engine with cast iron block/ally heads.

[mybrainhurts]

You need spinach...

[Russell Mc]

Drop it onto some old tyres

[paintman]

Get a friend to help you. A little forward planning needed

[Camaro]

Picked up an old Ford 1.3litre engine for a mate. Had the same issue, two other blokes, plus straps got it in. At the other end it was just me and here, she didn't have a crane either. Quick phone call saying theres a lady in distress, amazing how many blokes suddenly want to help out. Once she got it lifted into her shed though she striped down and did the rest herself.

[mybrainhurts]

For what it's worth, I once had a hernia. Lifting an engine did it, but don't let that worry you...

[one eyed mick]

Scaffolding plank , tub of grease ,place plank on rear bumper apply grease lberally to upper part of same pull engine onto plank ,watch your toes simple ,have done this with large diesel plant engines and stuff like complete mini engine and box combos not partic H+S but it works

[williredale]

Sorry but do you really not have any mates who could help? Pay them with beer if neccesary because they are what you need.

[S2AVANT]

I managed to get a 4.2 v8 into a van using a plank and old wheels with tyres, and the guy who was buying it!

[tight fart]

Open back doors, reverse at speed the jump on brakes, easy.
You could put a mattress down first but it's bound to miss.

[andyiley]

tight fart said:

Open back doors, reverse at speed the jump on brakes, easy.
You could put a mattress down first but it's bound to miss.

That gets my vote!

[rswift]

Well as you are in MK, I'm about 1/2 hour away nr Jct 12.....and I have an engine crane.

Usual fee is a bottle of Red, and a promise that you'll bring it back !!.....

[Crafty_]

see if you can acquire some sort of little trolley like the things they move the crates of break around on in supermarkets, or even a supermarket trolley with the basket bit chopped off. Stick an old tyre or two on the top, place at the door of the van so that its more or less level with the floor of the van, then just "walk" the engine to the edge and on to the trolley, then just push it to its storage place.

Failing that go buy an engine stand (useful to have if you're cleaning/rebuilding the engine anyway) scoot it over to the end of the van, put the mounting plate on the engine and just chock the engine up a bit at a time with wood until its high enough, bit of wangling should see you right.
Make sure you chock the wheel of the stand so it can't get away from you. There is a stand on ebay that ends about midday tomorrow for £6, its even got an engine on it you can flog for scrap.
Loads of other cheap stands on there too.

[jagracer]

vrooom said:

this is a old 4cyl engine with cast iron block/ally heads.

either lift it out on you own or slide it out on a board, I've managed to get 6 cyl Jaguar engines in and out of a 4x4 in the past, it's all in the technique.

[hyperblue]

Two of you should be able to lift a 4 pot between you.

[john2443]

My massive 4 pot was loaded using a fork lift!!! and when I got home I found it was too heavy for the (home made) engine crane.

Built a platform using planks, dollys, breeze blocks etc the same height as the load bay and walked the engine onto it then used trolley jack to lower one end then the other a few inches until it was on the dolly to move it up the garage.

[Mr2Mike]

hyperblue said:

Two of you should be able to lift a 4 pot between you.

The OP needs to find a friend. Or an engine hoist.

[cornet]

tight fart said:

Open back doors, reverse at speed the jump on brakes, easy.
You could put a mattress down first but it's bound to miss.

Or place mattress behind van, tie engine to tree, drive forward.

[mybrainhurts]

Study this, it seems to work...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-pWrCUcAF4

[bearman68]

What about lifting the front of the van so the engine rolls out?