Constructing an A-Frame for Use with Chain Hoist?

[bulletpruf]

Fellas -

Need to yank an engine out of my 72 Alfa Romeo. It's a light engine (all aluminum 4 cylinder, stripped of all accessories) that I plan to pull by itself. Will pull trans out from the bottom.

Since taking this picture, I removed the exhaust, starter/solenoid, etc.


My cherry picker is 5,000 miles away and I don't know anyone here who has one to borrow. However, I do know where I can find some scrap 4x4's and 2x6's, and 2x8's. Figure I could whip up an A-frame type setup to secure my 3 ton chain hoist to (I don't have rafters or anything else in the garage to suspend it from).

Here's my source of scrap wood.


Here's a pic of the garage -- the car is on the far side of the support in the left side of the picture.


Anyway, I figure I need four 8' or 9' uprights total (used to form the "A" on each side), an 8' or so crossbeam to secure the chain hoist to, and crossbeams tying the uprights together on both sides, I should be good.

I would like to build something that will support a significant amount of weight (within the limits of lumber I have available), so overbuilding is perfectly fine. I'd also like to build something that is easily disassembled and reassembled, so I'd like to use bolts or at least screws instead of nails.

I have the normal assortment (well, normal for a GJ member, anyway) of hand and power tools to put something like this together with.

I did a Google search, but didn't see anything that was terribly helpful. Figure some of y'all have done this before, so please share your thoughts, experience, plans, pictures, etc.

Thanks!

Scott

 

[twertsy]

Try this Scott.

 

[Strouty]

How tall is the ceiling? How tall is the front of the car, and how big is the engine? Looks like it may be tight, you can always remove the grill or front clip to get some extra room. I would rather use a tripod design if wood was the only option. It may not be feasible because of the height of the garage. If you are going to make a gantry, just make it as narrow as possible and pull the car way from the engine, so the gantry would be stationary.

 

[Strouty]

I see you can't remove the clip easily, maybe you can remove the front tires to get more room.

 

[twertsy]

How tall is the ceiling? How tall is the front of the car, and how big is the engine? Looks like it may be tight, you can always remove the grill or front clip to get some extra room. I would rather use a tripod design if wood was the only option. It may not be feasible because of the height of the garage. If you are going to make a gantry, just make it as narrow as possible and pull the car way from the engine, so the gantry would be stationary.

I definitely agree with that Strouty. Wood = A frame!

 

[bluebolt]

It's about 300 pounds. Roll it under a swingset and pull it quick!

 

[rwhite692]

There's a guy over on pirate 4x4 that constructed a really nice one.

 

[jhelrey]

Couple of friends and a 6x6 post. Chain the engine, wrap chain around post, two guys on each end, lift, and walk it to where it needs to go or pull car out and drop it right there.

 

[kctyphoon]

You ever see that gantry (?) They sell in HF? You could build something like that, and still be able to push the car through it.. Like this..
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-telescoping-gantry-crane-41188.html

 

[RM209]

Couple of friends and a 6x6 post. Chain the engine, wrap chain around post, two guys on each end, lift, and walk it to where it needs to go or pull car out and drop it right there.

Yup, did that many years ago w/ an MGB engine, except that we used a 4x4, and only needed two guys. That Alfa engine is small and light (cast of aluminum); should be quite manageable if you support the trans.

RM209

 

[Strouty]

You ever see that gantry (?) They sell in HF? You could build something like that, and still be able to push the car through it.. Like this..
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-telescoping-gantry-crane-41188.html

You ever see the users location?

 

[kctyphoon]

You ever see the users location?

And
http://s285.photobucket.com/user/sh...anVillage-20130619-00285_zps5d06d53b.jpg.html

 

[Bobf]

A loooong time ago I always pulled the heavy early Olds/hydro about 700lbs from my model A Ford in Dad's garage with two 2X4's on the ends nailed together supporting 2- 2X8's nailed together across the top with some 3/4" plywood gussets nailed on the corners. The thing was just wide enough to clear the car probably 8-9 feet. Never ever had a problem.

 

[Strouty]

Apology given. Don't cut off my power.

 

[PoorOwner]

I made with 2 x 4s
The top is double stacked
I wrapped a chain over the top and attached the HF chain hoist.

I lifted the Toyota 1.6 out with the trans, I would say that is pretty similar and mine is cast iron block.

The bottom is just 2x4 rectangle with cheap HF casters a couple had brakes.

Lifted up and forward

It had to be low enough for the garage door opening.

I used 2 metal brackets for the top connection which rested on the vertical post anyway, the rest is deck screws and some 3" nails. The 2x4 did flex a bit on the vertical part but it was ok. bolted on the engine stand tube and inserted the engine stand frame onto it before lowering it.

Later unscrewed everything to make the pallet to ship stuff.

 

[Mooky]

Pulled that same engine out of a Spider, one guy on each side of a 4x4. Light engine, don't over think it.

 

[bulletpruf]

Try this Scott.

Thanks, Todd. Actually found the same page when I did a Google search. Some good info there.

Scott

 

[bulletpruf]

How tall is the ceiling? How tall is the front of the car, and how big is the engine? Looks like it may be tight, you can always remove the grill or front clip to get some extra room. I would rather use a tripod design if wood was the only option. It may not be feasible because of the height of the garage. If you are going to make a gantry, just make it as narrow as possible and pull the car way from the engine, so the gantry would be stationary.

Strouty -

Ceiling is about 8'.

Can't remove front clip without getting out the sawzall.

What is the "tripod design"?

Yes, I called it an "A frame" but this is what I had in mind - http://wysecarts.com/HVAC-Gantry/gantry-500 - something with that basic shape.

Agree that it should be narrow as possible, and would make it stationary.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[bulletpruf]

It's about 300 pounds. Roll it under a swingset and pull it quick!

Yep. Just confirmed. The engine is only 300 lbs. No swingset, but that would probably do it!

Thanks

 

[bulletpruf]

Couple of friends and a 6x6 post. Chain the engine, wrap chain around post, two guys on each end, lift, and walk it to where it needs to go or pull car out and drop it right there.

Yeah, that's what my neighbor suggested. He's willing to help, too. Of course, I already ordered a chain hoist, but that's ok. I'm sure I'll find a use for it.

 

[bulletpruf]

You ever see that gantry (?) They sell in HF? You could build something like that, and still be able to push the car through it.. Like this..
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-telescoping-gantry-crane-41188.html

Yeah, that's roughly what I was planning to build.

 

[bulletpruf]

Yup, did that many years ago w/ an MGB engine, except that we used a 4x4, and only needed two guys. That Alfa engine is small and light (cast of aluminum); should be quite manageable if you support the trans.

RM209

I'm pulling the trans out, so it will just be the engine.

Thanks

Scott

 

[bulletpruf]

http://s285.photobucket.com/user/sh...anVillage-20130619-00285_zps5d06d53b.jpg.html

Thanks

 

[bulletpruf]

A loooong time ago I always pulled the heavy early Olds/hydro about 700lbs from my model A Ford in Dad's garage with two 2X4's on the ends nailed together supporting 2- 2X8's nailed together across the top with some 3/4" plywood gussets nailed on the corners. The thing was just wide enough to clear the car probably 8-9 feet. Never ever had a problem.

Looks like a sweet car!

That's a lot of weight to suspend from that lumber, but if it's sound (no large knots) and gusseted that would be quite strong. A pair of 2x8's nailed together should support a lot of weight.

Thanks

Scott

 

[bulletpruf]

I made with 2 x 4s
The top is double stacked
I wrapped a chain over the top and attached the HF chain hoist.

I lifted the Toyota 1.6 out with the trans, I would say that is pretty similar and mine is cast iron block.

The bottom is just 2x4 rectangle with cheap HF casters a couple had brakes.

Lifted up and forward

It had to be low enough for the garage door opening.

I used 2 metal brackets for the top connection which rested on the vertical post anyway, the rest is deck screws and some 3" nails. The 2x4 did flex a bit on the vertical part but it was ok. bolted on the engine stand tube and inserted the engine stand frame onto it before lowering it.

Later unscrewed everything to make the pallet to ship stuff.

You are a bit braver than me. Think I would want something more substantial for the uprights and the top. Glad to hear it worked out.

Thanks for posting.

Scott

 

[Josey Wales]

I put a big block in a 66 Dodge, with three 2x4s and a come along, only because I had no choice though. I don't remember letting air out of the front tires to roll the car back, but I do remember the wood creaking as I lifted the engine up!
Lots of good solutions in this thread.

 

[bulletpruf]

Pulled that same engine out of a Spider, one guy on each side of a 4x4. Light engine, don't over think it.

Overthink? Overbuild? Naw, that never happens on Garage Journal!

 

[bulletpruf]

I put a big block in a 66 Dodge, with three 2x4s and a come along, only because I had no choice though. I don't remember letting air out of the front tires to roll the car back, but I do remember the wood creaking as I lifted the engine up!
Lots of good solutions in this thread.

Yikes! Must have been some sturdy 2x4's!

 

[bulletpruf]

After 10 minutes with a hand saw, crowbar, and battery powered impact wrench (4x4's were secured with large screws that had bolt heads).


"Truck" is loaded and ready to go!

 

[bulletpruf]

After an hour or so in the garage.



The uprights are 4x4. Space between them is 64" or so which should give me an inch or two on each side of the car. The top crossbeam is a 4x4, with 2x6's screwed to it on each side. The gussets are 4x4.



I still need to add some gussets from the uprights to the 4x4 feet. I don't have any 2x4's, but I have an 8' 2x6 left that I can rip down to size.

It's all screwed together so I can take it apart in about 10 minutes with a drill and screw bit.

Chain hoist is from Amazon - it's a Torin 4,000 pound model. It was highly rated and fairly inexpensive - maybe $50 or so?

Now that I have this built, I think I'll pull the engine and transmission together.

Did I miss anything? I think it will be sturdy enough for a 200 lb engine + 100 lb trans/bellhousing.

Scott

 

[babylou]

Most engines are closer to 400 lb.

 

[manwithtools]

Looks pretty good. If it was mine, I would want some longer gussets from the uprights to the horizontal plates on the floor. Long enough to reach from the ends of the floor plate if you can. That will help resist the tipping action front to rear if something should accidentally get caught while you are rolling the car back.

Given the weight of the engine/trans combo in that car it should serve the purpose well.

Good luck and be safe.

 

[bulletpruf]

Most engines are closer to 400 lb.

All aluminum 4 cylinder completely stripped of all accessories. It's 200 lbs.

Thanks

 

[bulletpruf]

Looks pretty good. If it was mine, I would want some longer gussets from the uprights to the horizontal plates on the floor. Long enough to reach from the ends of the floor plate if you can. That will help resist the tipping action front to rear if something should accidentally get caught while you are rolling the car back.

Given the weight of the engine/trans combo in that car it should serve the purpose well.

Good luck and be safe.

Yep, already done. The small pieces in the corners are the leftovers from cutting the 4x4's for the gussets on the crossbeam. I knew it would need more than that.

Thanks

 

[bulletpruf]

Engine and trans out. That's my neighbor, Gino. He stopped by to help.



Took about 10 minutes to disassemble. Stored until I need to put it back together to re-install the engine.



Modified my $5 Harbor Freight furniture dolly by adding a few pieces of scrap wood. Makes for a good engine storage solution.

 

[short4stuff]

Looks good,
When I was 15 I built something really weak out of 2x4 legs, and a 2x6 going across the top
It held to pull an engine and trans out of an acura integra. Was probably a death trap but no harm was done.

 

[bulletpruf]

Looks good,
When I was 15 I built something really weak out of 2x4 legs, and a 2x6 going across the top
It held to pull an engine and trans out of an acura integra. Was probably a death trap but no harm was done.

Yeah, I did some sketchy stuff when I was younger, too. Now I tend to gravitate to the other end of the scale -- overkill.

Thanks

 

[2oolhound]

Looks pretty good. If it was mine, I would want some longer gussets from the uprights to the horizontal plates on the floor. Long enough to reach from the ends of the floor plate if you can. That will help resist the tipping action front to rear if something should accidentally get caught while you are rolling the car back.

That's the only flaw I'm seeing too. Not enough support from front to back sway forces that is easy to remedy like manwithtools suggests.

Good work otherwise and nice to have on hand.

 

[SantaAna12]

Thatsa nice!

 

[bulletpruf]

That's the only flaw I'm seeing too. Not enough support from front to back sway forces that is easy to remedy like manwithtools suggests.

Good work otherwise and nice to have on hand.

If you look at the last picture, the one with my neighbor in it, you can see the gussets on the bottom to combat the front to back motion.

Scott