Engine hoist load leveler

[Tynee]

I’m curious if anybody actually uses the ~$40 levelers with their engine hoist?

 

[BearsFan315]

used one on mine when dropping the straight six back in my 1929.... needed it to get the driveline at the right angle to slide it in... then level it back out.. worked great :0

 

[P51Mustang]

I have used one a number of times on early model and FOX body Mustangs and find that the leveler does help a lot. I like to pull the engine and transmission as one unit and the leveler makes this much easier. I have found that at least on the leveler that I own that it is easier to use it without the crank handle on it. I took the handle off and use a wench or an impact gun on the nut on the end of the drive screw as I have had problems with being able to turn the crank handle when the engine is tilted at a big angle as the handle will hit on the engine.

 

[PoorUB]

Yes! I have one I built and it helps a lot to get the engine at the right angle to line up the transmission.

 

[Metal-Marc]

I do and I use it everytime I pull a motor out.

 

[HenryAZ]

I used one to pull the engine-transmision-transfer case from a Toyota FJ-40, all 3 still bolted together. It required changing the angle and moving the FJ a few inches several times. Then, after everything was rebuilt and bolted back together, same thing in reverse. Removing the crank is a great idea, which did not occur to me at the time.

I could not have pulled the entire unit bolted together without the leveler. Re-assembling the 3 pieces on the bench was much easier.

 

[finn]

I use one, but it isn’t a $45 one.

Gof mine from JEGS probably twenty years ago or more. Mostly used it for Fox Mustangs, Broncos, SBC in the 36, Rangers, flatheads, 460s, 351s and maybe a few more.

Not too long ago guys were having issues with the cheap ones collapsing, so choose wisely.

 

[racecougar]

Yes, I always use the leveler. It's especially helpful if you work alone.

 

[CraigStu]

Absolutely. I want pill or install and engine w/o one. The $40 though may not be what you want. I think mine may have been $80. The cheap ones may have bushings vs bearings and the alloy of the long threaded piece is suspect. I found that out helping a friend. We were reinstalling a V8/trans unit so needed a real high angle to start out. At first we just couldn't get it to go to more than about 1/2 the angle we needed. Took it apart and put bearing grease everywhere and that barely allowed us to get to the angle. The cheap one would maybe be OK if doing engine alone and only needing 5deg to match trans angle.

 

[firebirdparts]

I use one.

 

[Tynee]

Thanks for the feedback, everybody.

 

[Walkers]

I put a V8 engine in my Scout that I had to build mounts for everything. It made it so easy to get everything set up at the right angle of the dangle. Highly recommend!

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Yep, I have a harbor freight one, and one I built to slide a 6.7 under the dash of a freightliner.

 

[ZRX61]

We use them to install (1700lb) RR Merlins in P51's... But they ain't the $40 version..

 

[Monza Harry]

I have a cheap one only done one engine pull since buying it, and it's helpful but it does eat up height. We did have to air down tires to get the engine out [Square Body Suburban 3/4 ton 4X4] not easy to push with nearly flat tires [16.5 split rims scary to refill]. Those with nicer ones I wouldn't mind seeing yours [as others would I am sure, can you share a link?] Harry

 

[Garcky]

I’m curious if anybody actually uses the ~$40 levelers with their engine hoist?

I think a leveler is essential. I've done engine remove/install with and without one. I'd never do one again without one.

 

[Monza Harry]

So I went looking after I completed my post above and found these to share for you entertainment check out the prices [CAD$] Harry

https://www.grainger.ca/en/product/LOAD-LEVELER/p/OTC1812

 

[Tynee]

So I went looking after I completed my post above and found these to share for you entertainment check out the prices [CAD$] Harry

https://www.grainger.ca/en/product/LOAD-LEVELER/p/OTC1812

I guess as long as I'm ordering, I'll go ahead and pick up a spare Hein-Werner version, that way I can have more money ******* in the levelers than all the vehicles I've ever pulled engines out of, combined!!

 

[Monza Harry]

Tynee what were the American prices. Grainger automatically directs us to the Canadian site, $4043 (CAD) for the OTC and $7861 (CAD) for the HW. The cheaper one is more than I paid for my current DD! They sure is proud of them! Harry
Edit Sorry for the derailment OP

 

[Tynee]

Tynee what were the American prices. Grainger automatically directs us to the Canadian site, $4043 (CAD) for the OTC and $7861 (CAD) for the HW. The cheaper one is more than I paid for my current DD! They sure is proud of them! Harry
Edit Sorry for the derailment OP

$2100 for the OTC, $5257 for the H-W.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

My decade/s? Old harbor freight one holds a 900+ lb 6bt just fine. I'd probably go for the oberg cable style of I was shopping for another.
Ive used ratchet straps for tilt, and it's not as nice, but will work.

 

[PoorUB]

WOW! I think I have $30 in mine!

I bought a piece if 2x2x1/4 wall square tube about 18" long. A piece of 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 x3/16 wall square tube 4 inches long for the slider, welded a hoop on it to hook the hoist too. some threaded rod, a nut, some metal scraps on the ends with holes for chain links. hand crank from the junk bin.
Awe hell, here is a poor drawing, not to scale!

 

[Jazz1]

WOW! I think I have $30 in mine!

I bought a piece if 2x2x1/4 wall square tube about 18" long. A piece of 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 x3/16 wall square tube 4 inches long for the slider, welded a hoop on it to hook the hoist too. some threaded rod, a nut, some metal scraps on the ends with holes for chain links. hand crank rom the junk bin.
Awe hell, here is a poor drawing, not to scale!

my next project will be the leveller...needed one last month. I don't pull many motors but when I do angle is always critical.

 

[LeeG]

I picked up the OTC 1500lb leveler from Amazon a while back. I used it to help move a 500lb press. It worked just fine.

Lee

 

[545_days]

We use one, but are only maneuvering a 1.5 liter SOHC Fiat engine and transmission in and out of the race car.

 

[whateg01]

I don't like the cheap ones, but a load leveler is very handy. I built the one I used for f150 5.0 to bolt to the intake because I couldn't find one at the time. I'm not sure if anybody makes one now or not. Because it was able to bolt directly to the intake, it was lower profile.

 

[juddspaintballs]

The chain links on my Harbor Freight leveler broke while I had my Volvo's engine and transmission suspended. I was able to set it down and then I replaced the chains with quality chain from the hardware store. At the end of the day, Harbor Freight reached out to me and wound up reimbursing me for the chains that I bought and refunding me the cost of the leveler. I can't complain about that, but if you're going to get a cheap leveler, I highly suggest replacing the chains before you lift with it.

 

[alfadan]

I'd have to dig mine out, but I think my Horrible Freight has a crank handle on the screw which you can't turn at higher angles due to the chains getting in the way. Other than that it works fine with some lube on the screw.

 

[nadogail]

All rigging should be tested before use, especially if there is danger of injury or property damage if the rigging were to fail.

 

[juddspaintballs]

Found my pictures!


The two links of chain between the engine hoist and leveler. These came with the leveler from HF.



And all of my new (not cheap) chains on the device:

 

[whateg01]

Double post

 

[whateg01]

All rigging should be tested before use, especially if there is danger of injury or property damage if the rigging were to fail.

Because the people who would buy tools from harbor freight are the same ones who would pay to have chains load tested before use!