I second the advantages of the A-frame approach - although you don't
need to go to such massive structures.
For years I used what I call an I-frame [same as an A-frame except the
single vertical side posts] made from single 2x4s, corners braced with
slotted angle, good furniture castors, and a come-along on the vertical
via a pulley in the center to lift with. Advantages over usual engine
lifts are that you don't need ground clearance under the car [great for
race cars], can lift the car to put it on high stands, you can leave it
over the rear of the car when working on the front [or vice versa], its
lightweight, and cheap.
I sold it when we moved and bought a "proper" engine lift. Bad move -
not nearly as convenient. Just made myself another 2x4 I-frame.
Don't even consider a beam in the rafters unless you want a job on Shade
Tree Mechanic!
Derek
Jim Van Hooser wrote:
> I also made an A-frame out of 4x4 legs and 4x6 beam
> that I also use with the chainfall for outside work.
>
> At 05:05 PM 12/30/98 Wednesday -0800, Douglas Shook wrote:
> >
> >I know, I know, we just finished talking about this, but of course I
> >wasn't to the point where I needed to pull some engines (hence, I did
> >not save the messages and for some reason I cannot access the archives
> >-- can anybody else do so?), but now I need to pull the engine from my
> >TR6.
> >
> >Anyway, I plan to mount a hand chain hoist above a bay in my garage that
> >has a 10' span with very solid walls on either side. I cannot find in
> >Glover Pocket Ref the beam/span/weight size specs. I have a hip roof on
> >the garage, so I could easily tie into the rafters at midpoint, but I
> >just put a new tile roof on and don't want to screw it up if I can avoid
> >it.
> >
> >The questions I have are, I suppose:
> >
> >What size timber or I beam do I need for a 10' span to be able to lift
> >say 800 lbs?
> >
> >Any preferred method for attaching the hoist to the beam?
> >
> >Again, I do remember seeing this on the list awhile ago, so if you would
> >prefer to personal email me instead of blasting the list, I'm:
> >
> >shook@usc.edu
> >
> >If any of you have done this previously and have some advice on pitfalls
> >to avoid, I certainly would appreciate that, too.
> >
> >I could buy one of those floor engine hoists for ~$200, but then I need
> >to store it in the shop someplace, and I don't have a lot of room to
> >spare (a couple BSA's, a Moto Guzzi V7 Sport, the TR, the old Ford Van,
> >the wife's car, my daily driver, current projects, etc.). I have way too
> >many things sitting outside as it stands now.
> >
> >Any help would be appreciated.
> >
> >doug
>
> Jim V. - '58 GMC Suburban Carrier Pickup V8 Automatic
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