Which Engine Hoist?

[optimisticmark]

So I've got my donor Focus and I'm getting ready to dismantle it, now I need an engine hoist and (I guess) a leveler beam. But I've never bought one before so I'll need some advice!

Where have people got their hoists from? (The more detail the better please, if it was off the interweb, which website?) How much did anyone spend? What would you have done differently? Did you need a leveler beam?

All information gratefully received!

Cheers
Mark

[ridgeback]

Hi,
Look at Machine Mart on the net,they do both cranes and levelers at a reasonable price plus will deliever which is an advantage.Leveler is handy at a price but you can do it cheaper with 2 hooks and a length of chain.

[andybaird]

Hi Mark

It's a bit late hinting that you want a engine hoist on the day of your birthday you should have asked this question last week. ;D ;D ;D

Happy birthday.

Andy

[johnp]

I got this with a free leveler for 200 (think they've erred in current pricing coz they want to charge nearly as much for the leveler as the hoist) Delivery was free.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-2-TON-FOLDING-HYDRAULIC-ENGINE-CRANE-HOIST-LIFT-/130515229853?pt=UK_Lifting_Moving_Equipment&hash=item1e63505c9d

[jonb2010]

Got my hoist from machine mart and put it together last weekend. It's their 1/2 ton folding model so at least I can move it out of the way once I'm done.

Is anybody able to give advice on actually lifting it ? Specific mounting points, rope, chains, strap etc ?

Thanks Jon

[Stewart]

Get on ebay. Anything from 500kg lift weight upwards. Clarke are common ones, and if you're only going to use it a couple of times you can flog it back on ebay for what you paid for it, whereas buying new you're going to loose 50% of the cost if you try and sell it. Plus, no need for something nice and shiney and red, when it's only going to get covered in oil and crud in the first 5 minutes.

I picked mine up for £50 and it's the CFC1000 (I think?) Lifted the MX5 shell off without any problems, all I needed to do was strip down the ram, clean the oil filter out and replace the hook, cost me £10 in parts from Clarke direct (inc £6 shipping!)

[mightylad]

Hi

As for the lifting straps, one idea is to cut the seat belts out of the donor and use them - I used a ratchet strap looped a couple of times between the two lifting eyes on the engine - worked fine!

The safest option is to get a propper lifting chain or strap (but they are just seatbelt material!)...

Cheers, ol

[optimisticmark]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Please keep them coming!

And while it's a bit early, Merry Christmas to all moggers. ;D ;D ;D

Cheers
Mark

[mattsmev]

Hi Mark

I added a few beams to my garage roof and used a pulley block that my dad made ages ago to drop the engine in. The engine is quite light so common sense precautions are all that is needed. I don't have an engine hoist to store and it's probably cheeper too. I think i took it out of the donor with a trolly jack. The front of the car comes off and you can just slide it out from the front.

it's easier than it looks, honest

Cheers

Mattsmev

[jonb2010]

Jan 2, 2012 20:56:19 GMT mattsmev said:

Hi Mark

I added a few beams to my garage roof and used a pulley block that my dad made ages ago to drop the engine in. The engine is quite light so common sense precautions are all that is needed. I don't have an engine hoist to store and it's probably cheeper too. I think i took it out of the donor with a trolly jack. The front of the car comes off and you can just slide it out from the front.

it's easier than it looks, honest

Cheers

Mattsmev

Yeah I did think about doing something similar to drop my engine in. Bottled it though and made use of a VAT free offer from Machine Mart.

As I had already gone through the garage roof on the day of the royal wedding and spent several weeks with a bad back I thought it was a good choice. The builders just happened to use a joist that had been nearly completely sawn through. Think it will be the last time I buy a new build, next time it will be a self build.