I have the chance to get a complete 305 for free! only problem is I need to move it. They place that is giving me the engine said they will put it in my truck (which has a cap) but when I get home I have no engine hoist or engine stand. I want to just put in on my garage floor for now. My question(s) are:

1) When they put it in my truck should I place 2X4 under it to support it? Is there some type of temporary stand to place it on while transporting it? or just let it lay on its side?
2) once I get it home, how do I get it out of the truck onto the garage floor (I don't think pushing it out is a good idea!). Has anyone ever made a hoist out of anything? any ideas what a complete 305 weighs? any ideas how to get it safely to the ground?

Thanks any advice (quickly) would really be appreciated on how everyone else has done this.....I need to pick it up this week or I lose it...

 

A complete SBC weighs around 500 lbs. If you can get help, get 2 steel pipes (5 feet long) and some strong rope.... tie the rope around the engine so you can slip the pipes through and use them on your and a friends shoulders to lift the engine like pall bearers. I would make a wood stand at least to put the engine on (2x4's & 4x4's).

 

well as far as transporting it I would just use a spare tire (put the deep part of the oil pan in the center of the tire). and as far as getting it out of your truck, just rent a hoist, or borrow one if you know someone that has one. a motor isn't worth screwing your back up over, just my opinon. hope that helps

 

To get it out of your truck, get some 2X4's and a piece of thick plywood and make a ramp, get a friend and drag the engine in it's tire to the tailgate and slide it down on to the floor. OR go buy a $39.00 engine stand which may be close to the same hieght as the tailgate, again get some help and slide the engine back and get it on the stand.

Eric

 

Thanks alot! All good advice...I never thought of the tire deal...

Thanks again.....

 

Engines are heavy, I've had 2 recent experiences lifting short blocks with someone's help, and believe me it's not easy. As far as transporting it, make sure it's either sitting on the pan and tied/or blocked from moving, or laying on it's side, also blocked or tied.

When I got my 350 short block, I put it in the back of the mini-van on it's side, didn't tie it, or block it, and figured i'd just take it easy... until someone cut me off! Block flipped from on it's side, to completely upside down, and drained all the rest of the oil that was in it on the carpet. I could kill that guy in the honda, but the truth is, I should have put more thought into tieing it down.

I have that block sitting on a piece of cardboard, back of the pan on the cardboard, front of the pan on a piece of 4x4.

Lifting it wasn't that bad, but it's definetly not something you could hold on to for a long time. I'd personally think, if you went for the idea Morley suggested, that you and another person could probably get it out of there and set down. That or a ramp design, to slide it out.