Author Topic: Engine Transport from Point A to Point B - Need Ideas (Read 11356 times)

Groover · « **on:** April 22, 2015, 10:09:33 AM »

The engine is off my G5 and is now sitting on a chunk of railroad tie in my garage. I managed to get it off my bike by sort of lifting the frame off of it (just in a nutshell) with no extra help.

Now I need to load the engine in my full-size van and take it to a location where they'll soda blast clean it for me. The problem is... It's heavy, and I don't want to ask anyone to help me because the place does business hours when everyone I know is at work, and I don't want to burden anyone especially since I may have to do this twice (drop off, pickup)

Any suggestions? I'm thinking some sort of dolly or cart (I don't have), then load/unload from the van using a wide ramp (which I already have).

Is there something already out there that fits that description, or should I make something? (just what I need... another project to finish another project ;D)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2015, 10:17:26 AM »

I use a hand truck to wheel them around:

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2015, 10:30:30 AM »

I just carry them around.. <shrug>

Rough Edge racing · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2015, 10:36:06 AM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on April 22, 2015, 10:30:30 AM

I just carry them around.. <shrug>

Photo or it didn't happen ;D How much does a Guzzi engine weigh ? about 120 pounds with no transmission? Bulky but a manly man can do it

sbaker · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2015, 10:44:14 AM »

Got a beam in the Garage you can use??? Using a block and tackle hoist the engine UP.. back the truck under it.. Lower engine...

Bisbonian · « **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2015, 10:47:36 AM »

The shop won't have someone to help you unload/load the van at their location?
I'd ask a friend come over (on their schedule) and help me load the engine into my van, and then drive over to the shop during their business hours. I would think the shop would be able to assist with the unloading so you would not need a friend to come with you.

nobleswood · « **Reply #6 on:** April 22, 2015, 10:50:08 AM »

Or you could just ask me. I also have a dolly. A furniture cart. Block and tackle. All for loan at reasonable beer prices !

Groover · « **Reply #7 on:** April 22, 2015, 10:51:29 AM »

Quote from: nobleswood on April 22, 2015, 10:50:08 AM

Or you could just ask me. I also have a dolly. A furniture cart. Block and tackle. All for loan at reasonable beer prices !

..... and sold to the highest bidder! Aren't you at work 24/7?

twhitaker · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2015, 10:54:14 AM »

I was hoping you two would get together. Tim is good people. ;-T

not-fishing · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2015, 10:54:33 AM »

Another option would be a couple of 2x10 planks about 5' long and a

You could strap the engine to the dolly and just push it into / out of the van using the planks.

nobleswood · « **Reply #10 on:** April 22, 2015, 11:00:14 AM »

You're too kind sir!

I'm hoping the early part of May is dry enough for me to get to your Breakfast.

Aldo · « **Reply #11 on:** April 22, 2015, 11:08:26 AM »

...shopping cart...free and you can return it when you're done ;D

Groover · « **Reply #12 on:** April 22, 2015, 11:22:51 AM »

Thanks Guys. All has been settled with Nobleswood (good guy, agreed). He offered to do all the heavy lifting while I drink beer if I want, so I'm all set now :BEER:

In regards to the shop.. not sure if someone would be there to help me or not, so just planning for worst case scenario.

Thanks again for the suggestions!

Abbienormal · « **Reply #13 on:** April 22, 2015, 11:24:33 AM »

At Harbor Freight $160.00 but maybe you have other uses for it?
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_24941.jpg

Otherwise a piece of plywood on something wheeled like a floor creeper or the kid's skateboard?

Rudy

nobleswood · « **Reply #14 on:** April 22, 2015, 11:26:04 AM »

Wait ! What ? :o

Abbienormal · « **Reply #15 on:** April 22, 2015, 11:26:29 AM »

Sorry. Just saw you solved it while I was posting!

Rudy

Matteo · « **Reply #16 on:** April 22, 2015, 03:47:36 PM »

I roll my lift table over to my pickup and jack it up even with tailgate so I can slide stuff in. Engines, no problem.

rodekyll · « **Reply #17 on:** April 22, 2015, 03:52:22 PM »

I call for help. I'm too damn fragile to risk damaging myself or the engine. Heck -- I busted a biceps swinging a bat . . . .

guzziart · « **Reply #18 on:** April 22, 2015, 04:42:22 PM »

Hey Groover,

If you don't mind sharing, what did you use or how did you go about masking off openings (e.g.intakes & exhaust, breather tubes, etc)?
Are you having the valve covers done or are they masked off?
Are you doing the transmission too? If so, is it going as one piece with the engine? How did you go about sealing the trans (shift shaft, push rod plunger, output shaft area, neutral sw., etc.).
And, who is doing the soda blasting?

I've got an Eldo with the engine & trans presently out of the bike (rebuilt) but I'm not happy with how the cases came out. Basically, I didn't have much success with all of the 1/2 dozen different chemical cleaners I tried while it was disassembled.

I live Southeast of Cleveland and know of a company a half hour away that does soda blasting. And, after reading this thread, I'm inclined to throw my stuff in the truck to get blasted! So, I'd appreciate hearing of your experiences with this part of your project.

Thanks,

Art

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #19 on:** April 22, 2015, 06:49:16 PM »

Quote from: Rough Edge racing on April 22, 2015, 10:36:06 AM

Photo or it didn't happen ;D How much does a Guzzi engine weigh ? about 120 pounds with no transmission? Bulky but a manly man can do it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA2xD88DdHo

around 90 pounds but memory bad since that hit to the toe.

old as dirt 2 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 22, 2015, 06:59:54 PM »

labor ready. the have offices all over the us. you can hire a couple folks cheap by the hour.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #21 on:** April 22, 2015, 07:00:14 PM »

Quote from: fotoguzzi on April 22, 2015, 06:49:16 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA2xD88DdHo

around 90 pounds but memory bad since that hit to the toe.

;D ;D
Buncha wimps. ;D Back in the day <snapping suspenders> I put up 1800 bales of sort of wet hay by myself in a day. They weighed 110 lbs each. Stacked em six high..
Well, I didn't do it by myself. The old man put them on the elevator to send them up to me in the mow..

RinkRat II · « **Reply #22 on:** April 22, 2015, 07:20:46 PM »

A slight variation of this should have you on the road in no time. Probably stuff you have layin' around . Easy Peasy ~;http://enterarena.blogspot.com/2011/05/gif-rube-goldberg-machine.html

Paul :BEER:

Groover · « **Reply #23 on:** April 23, 2015, 10:35:12 AM »

Quote from: guzziart on April 22, 2015, 04:42:22 PM

Hey Groover,

If you don't mind sharing, what did you use or how did you go about masking off openings (e.g.intakes & exhaust, breather tubes, etc)?
Are you having the valve covers done or are they masked off?
Are you doing the transmission too? If so, is it going as one piece with the engine? How did you go about sealing the trans (shift shaft, push rod plunger, output shaft area, neutral sw., etc.).
And, who is doing the soda blasting?

I've got an Eldo with the engine & trans presently out of the bike (rebuilt) but I'm not happy with how the cases came out. Basically, I didn't have much success with all of the 1/2 dozen different chemical cleaners I tried while it was disassembled.

I live Southeast of Cleveland and know of a company a half hour away that does soda blasting. And, after reading this thread, I'm inclined to throw my stuff in the truck to get blasted! So, I'd appreciate hearing of your experiences with this part of your project.

Thanks,

Art

Art, I still haven had this done. I plan on taking it here: http://www.sodacleanofohio.com/, but I don't have any previous experience with this place. I've only spoken with the owner over the phone, and I should be doing this within the next week or so. That's the only place in my area I'm aware of that does this.

I plan on having the entire engine blasted (including valve covers and transmission), unless there is a reason that I'm not aware of to not do the valve covers. In regards to plugging holes... I'm going to be using "stress balls", which are those dense foam balls about the size of a baseball but can squeeze to smaller size. I have some at home that were left overs from an advertising thing my girlfriend did a few years ago, and those will be used for the intake and exhaust. For the vent holes I picked up some rubber plugs from the hardware store. The shaft opening I'll probably use some inner tube and clamp it on with the shaft's existing rubber clamps, then the other shafts.. not sure, maybe I'll wrap some rubber bands around them (clutch and shift) just to break up the speed of the blasting.

I'll likely do a flush/change the oil once all is back on the bike to be sure nothing is in there.

When I get everything ready, I'll try and remember to do some before and after pics.

guzziart · « **Reply #24 on:** April 23, 2015, 03:49:04 PM »

Thanks Groover!

The stress balls seem like a good idea. I'd enjoy seeing before & after pics, too.

Thanks again & good luck!

Art

HDGoose · « **Reply #25 on:** April 23, 2015, 04:22:35 PM »

Quote from: twhitaker on April 22, 2015, 10:54:14 AM

I was hoping you two would get together. Tim is good people. ;-T

Don we now our gay apparel!?!

Maaka · « **Reply #26 on:** April 23, 2015, 06:23:11 PM »

I would be interested in photos of how you go about it too..
me I would have put it on an old trailer and washed the trailer and all

Groover · « **Reply #27 on:** May 02, 2015, 02:54:44 AM »

Got this taken care of today. Had my new neighbor help me load and unload then engine in and out of the van. It wasn't as difficult as I was making it out in my head. I forgot to do the official before and after before dropping off the engine. I can't believe I forgot because the whole time I was driving there, I kept saying to myself don't forget to take before photos, don't forget to take before photos and of course I forgot to take before photos.. Anyway, I was able to scrounge up some older photos of the parts I had blasted as they were before when I first got the bike last year, so it gets the idea across. Overall, I'm very pleased with the results. I used a combination of rubber plugs, cork plugs, rubber bands, cling wrap and foil to cover things up. I think things were protected well, but of course I won't know the real truth until I fire up the engine someday in the distant future.. Lastly, check out my new scoot-the-engine-around-the-garage rig; made it in about 20 minutes with some scrap wood I had in the garage, 4 casters I had from a previous project, and a chunk of rail-road tie. I think I'll be able to assemble the frame to the engine using that now too!

Some as-they-were-before photos: