Morris Minor Owners Club

Could anyone please give me some advice on how to hoist my engine out without spending lots of money on 'proper' engine hoists. I have loads of 4 x 2 timber. I need to get the engine out in order to put a news clutch in. I have removed all of the front end (front panel etc) so the engine only has to lift a short distance. If anyone has any 'plans' they could forward to me I would be very grateful.

Thanks in anticipation,


Brian

I personally would not attempt to make a hoist out of timber, and as such have made mine out of steel.

It consists of two inverted T pieces joined together at the top to form an inverted U shape with stabilisers at the bottom. The U shape straddles the engine compartment (east-west) and the stabilsers run north south.

I made the T shape out of 100mm box section for the stabilisers and thick steam pipe 90mm ish for the verticals. The top joining piece is then more 100mm box.

It is a bit over the top and would probably hold a couple of ton easy, but I was a bit paranoid about the top section breaking, but it does not even deflect slightly with and engine & gearbox and me swinging off it!!!

If wood is all you have, then I would make the same shape but re-enforce everthing with lots of diagonals. I would also use a joist for the top section (or a few planks nailed together, but stood egde upwards).

Here are a few options that I've had somewhat to do with!

I know some outfits hire engine hoists. They have a large arm that sticks out from the top and two legs with wheels which roll under the vehicle (like a big C). You hook it on the engine and pump a jack mounted between the upright and the top arm which lifts it up then you simply pull it away from the vehicle. We used it on for a van once (they are hard work getting the engine up and out the side door).

My uncle has a unusual but simple frame made of three pipes which form a large tripod attached at the top with a chain hanging down to hook the engine on. I guess then you would lift the engine and push the vehicle back.

When I took my engine out (with the gearbox) I freed the gearbox and had it sitting on a trolly jack then with my brother to keep an eye on that, my dad and I lifted the front of the engine up and forward with the jack taking the weight of the back and trailing along until it got to the front crossmenber by then my brother came around and lifted it and we put it on the ground. Was quite simple but you would be needing a couple of people at least. I did manage to get the engine and box up on to a platform to work on myself but it took abit of lifting, twisting, supporting and thinking.

With the front panel removed as you have already done, all you need is a trolley jack under the sump( with a piece of 1/2'' plywood inbetween) with every thing detatched and the engine mounting towers removed, lift and pull the engine forward, it will move on the jack until it reaches the front chassis crossmember, whereby you can slide the sump over, and while it balances on the crossmember, move the jack under and past to take the engine weight again, move it away and lower to the ground. The vehicle should be on a smooth base. Separating from the gearbox shaft may take a little juggling this usually occures at the point where the front of the engine is being raised over the front crossmember! Don't forget to support the gearbox.

I have a normal scaffold pole which is permanently set
in to the garage walls at a height of seven feet. It is a
simple job to hang the pulley on it and remove the engine.
I have used the same system for an MGB engine which is
much heavier.