DIY engine cradle

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dukeboy440

dukeboy440

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Needing to build one quick to move a 440. It’s freshly rebuilt so I’m trying to take care not to risk damage. But I have to move it to a new property, which means a trip in the truck bed. I’m thinking about getting one of those wooden moving dollies, beefing it up and building engine Mount ears on it, bolt to the engine bosses on the block and then use angle iron to the bellhousing holes and secure it back there for transport.

ordering one isn’t an option due to the time crunch and availability
 
dukeboy_318 said:
Needing to build one quick to move a 440. It’s freshly rebuilt so I’m trying to take care not to risk damage. But I have to move it to a new property, which means a trip in the truck bed. I’m thinking about getting one of those wooden moving dollies, beefing it up and building engine Mount ears on it, bolt to the engine bosses on the block and then use angle iron to the bellhousing holes and secure it back there for transport.

ordering one isn’t an option due to the time crunch and availability
Click to expand...
It'd be nice to see what you come up with. Post the results when you're done!
 
halifaxhops said:
Chris just a move use some old tires works great. I know you have hoists.
Click to expand...

Yep, an old tire and a few ratchet straps work great even with the engine stand pivot mount still bolted on and the wheeled frame removed. Moved many motors that way. The dolly would be OK if its going in a building with a concrete floor. I did that with my 340 but the K-frame was mounted to it which helps with stability.
 
Made one from unistrut I got from work that held engine ,suspension, and tranny. Lowered the car over it but probably not good for shipping.

Dolly.jpg


Engine drop - Copy (3).png


mt.jpg
 
Cut 4 pieces of 2x2 angle welded them up to make a rectangle, welded 4 castors on it
Lowered the engine just barely above it, took took 4 more pieces and welded and bolted to engine and angle iron frame
 
I use 2 pieces of 2 x 12 stood up sideways, and screw 2 pieces of 2 x 6 to the front and rear. I just make it wide enough for a big block oil pan to slide down between the 2 x 12's and long enough so a big block doesn't hang over the ends. Cut 4 triangles or any other kind of braces to go from the outside of each end of both 2 x 12's and run them out a foot or so and connect them to the 2 x 6's on each end. Never had one fail yet, and cheap to build if you can dumpster dive and find scraps to make them out of. Also, a small block will fit it just fine if you make it for a big block. The oil pans are close enough to the same width so it doesn't matter.
 
I just hauled a complete 440 a little over 80 miles with it sitting on a tire and held with two ratchet straps. If your worried about marring the paint on the oil pan just toss a furniture blanket over the tire before you sit the engine on it. Why build something if you are only moving it that way one time?

Tom
 
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