How heavy is an engine... PT.2
 

Think it will be possible to lift out a 1.6L short block with 1 man power? I sold the pistons out of the bottom end so it's time to get this thing out once and for all. Think if i remove the alt, starter, and unbolt from trans I'll have a hard time lifting the short block. I'm about your average 21 year old guy no body builder or anything. It may not be a weight issue may just be awkward. Maybe a friend could jump in but i doubt there is room...

http://i35.tinypic.com/jzdyps.jpg

probaly just don't fuck your back up

My 1.8L bare block was about 80 pounds and the crank alone weighed about 20-25. I don't know about you but I sure as hell can't lift 140 pounds with no leg help.

Have you looked into renting a cherry picker?

Your best bet being a one man show is to drop the whole subframe from the car.

Lifting a short block off the ground right at your feet is one thing. Lifting out a shortblock with your arms fully extended, good luck. I will guarantee that you in fact can not do it, and if you show video proof of you doing it I will paypal you $20.

Disclaimer: I will not be held responsible if you harm yourself in the process. Hope you have health insurance.

you cannot do it, period. get a cherry picker, or a block and tackle from a roof hoist, anything. but you will not do it.

I pulled the motor out of my turbo laser by hand.....

one foot on the upper part of the firewall, one by a strut tower, and lift. Place the engine on your core support area (carefully so you don't destroy shit) and have a friend steady it. Then get on the ground and both of you move it away from the car....

That said, it wasn't a very smart thing to do, and I'd get a cherry picker next time; but I do have one more story to tell people!

id say i could do, hell ive carried my friends 1.8 around, but then again im 330 lbs, but overall not a smart idea

what damn dude if it is only 140 or so lbs you can do it. If u find u have trouble then find a buddy i would suggest doing it towards the grass so that when u heave the motor it doesnt bust your concrete. Ive one handed my block before and when i got it from the machine shop picked it up outo the bed of my truck and put it in solo no prob. But i am a good bit stouter than your average joe schmoe. Remove the exhaust etc then you can get close to it and heft it to your chest then have someone help you heave it aside or take over the load until you climb out of the car and set the motor down where you wish.

Could have fooled me.

yeah, now that I think about it I'm around 6ft tall and 240lbs..... I can lift shit lol

I have someone who i can borrow a cherry picker from. He lives about 5 minutes away. Just didn't feel like picking it up if it wasn't really needed... Guess i'll get on the horn.

6'4" 250lbs. Performed engine swap. Spare motor sitting on workbench.

Just the shortblock I could pick it up off the ground and put it up on the workbench. It was not easy, and I still had the water-pump gooseneck attached for a good grab-point. The only reason I could do it was because I could get right up to it and stand over it to lift it. I could not have done it with the head on I don't think. I certainly could not have done it if I'd been bent over the fender... no leverage=throw a disc.

Mike, do the right thing. Either borrow one from your local Kragen/Advance, or buy one from Harbor Freight. You could also put an ad in Craigslist that you're looking to "rent" one... some local car enthusiast might be symapthetic to your cause.

a while back I saw a few videos/pictures of a dude doing a swap on an older Cavalier. they used some pullies and a tree... like the others I take no responsibility for your stupidity if you hurt yourself but will enjoy watching any videos if you succeed:bigtu:

Or fail!

yeah im 6'7, 275 lbs, and my way of doing an engine swap is ripping the longblock out of the car single handedly, and throwing it about 25 miles to the nearest junkyard. I do it every day of my life, its how I work out.

I just use my 5 foot cock as a lever.

The guys I learned from are the shadetree kind. They have more experience using a tree branch to pull a motor than anything else.

Don't bust a nut trying to do it by hand. Being strong has nothing to do with it. So much could go wrong trying to maneuver even the tiny 1.6 out of a miata bay. Not to mention if you cant muscle it.....your gonna drop it. Use your cabeza. :bigtu:

Vash-

Yeah get on it, I need them pistons. lol Just kiddin. Sooner the better though.

When you get the out call me, I'll pm you my #. Im gonna see if you can just send them straight to Performance Coatings.
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I'm 5'9 190 Lbs. And I'm abnormally strong.
If funds are low and there is no other option, find a tree and a cheap $20.00 come-along.

There is a big differance in picking one up from the ground, and picking up one out of the car.
You only get one back. Why screw it up over $20.00. Besides you might drop it.
That will screw up the car, block, and you.

Just my 2 cents.

Awwww, you guys miss Hustler too huh? :giggle: