Engine Trolley? Removable Front Cross Member?

[Caledfryn]

Apologies if this breaches forum etiquettem but I have posted this query in 'another place'. As I'm new to the Morris World I'm happy to be told off

Anyway, I've just acquired a 1957 Traveller in need of some TLC and I 've bought a 1275 MIdget engine, box and 3.9 diff to go with it.

Now (in a previous life) I've been into VWs and it's a relatively easy job to jack the DONT SWEAR OR YOU WILL BE BANNED end up and slide the engine out on a jack. On one car I owned it even had a removeable rear valance which meant it didn't even need to be jacked up.

Anyway, as I want the engine out of the Moggie, it got me thinking two things:

Firstly, has anyone ever made an engine trolley to be able to push the engine around the garage as required? Does anyone sell one? Below are some pics of one I made for a Beetle engine. The fist few shots just show it holding an empty case, the last shot has it with a full engine on it under the work bench.







Secondly, has anyone made the front cross member of a Moggie removable? That way, you wouldn't need an engine crane and could just jack it up slightly, lower it onto an engine trolley like the one above and roll it out?

I've searched the net and can't find an example of someone who has done such a thing which makes me wonder am I missing a major problem ?! lol

Sorry if it's a stupid question

[bmcecosse]

It's even easier than that......you just remove the front panel with radiator- put a trolley jack under the engine, remove the bolts etc to gearbox - and the two front mount towers, support the gearbox (timber is fine) and wheel the engine forward on the trolley - then slide it over the crossmember (protect the brake pipe) and then back on the trolley jack and away to wherever. The crossmember is essential for the chassis rigidity at the front end - I would NOT attempt to make it 'removable' !!

[MarkyB]

Even better most jobs, short of a full overhaul, can be done with the block in situ.