Using a two post lift an engine hoist

[raceman17]

I have a 9000 lb two post lift in my shop. My buddy is going to be coming over this weekend so we can work on his race car. We need to pull the engine out of the car. The engine and ****** probably weigh no more than 700 lbs. Does anybody see any issues with swinging one of the front lift arms over the car and picking out the engine?

Thanks

 

[DodgeMech]

Nope...you'll just have to back the car up as it comes out, obviously...and fwiw, I'd use both arms instead of one...lifts like weight on both sides when lifting

 

[brass89]

+1 for using two arms if possible (one from each side of lift). Uneven weight doesn't work as well, even though it's not the full weight of a car it's still a decent amount to have shifted to just one side. Could you swing both arms out to the middle, run hoist chains from both? Not sure if it's symmetrical or asymmetrical. The lift arms may flex some and you might see it tilting/flexing to the rear (if using the rear lift arms) but like you mentioned it's only 700lbs or less. I've lifted just the front or rear of cars like this with a two post while chalking the wheels on the ground.

 

[8man]

Lifting is tricky business. I've seen loads shift, throwing the whole thing off center resulting in falls or damage to the side. Also dual lift points isn't the best way to lift. If you could put an I-beam on the arms and secure it to each arm so that it won't move, chains and large bolts to tighten it up might work, then use the center point as your lifting point it would be better. Lift carefully and don't be close to this load as it is coming up if you do it with the lift if you don't.

 

[kaffine]

I use my lift all the time for getting things out of the bed of a pickup and other odd lifting tasks. However I think it is going to be a pain to use a 2 post lift as an engine hoist.

Does the hood come off easily? That would make it easier. Either get the car somewhat close to the side you are using so the lift arm reaches past the center point of the engine or use an arm from both sides. Double and triple check every things has been disconnected you are not going to have much feel if something is hung up using the lift.

 

[raceman17]

Thanks for all the replies. The hood comes off with hood pins so it's not gonna be an issue with the hood being in the way. I like the I beam idea. I will use that method.

 

[Shadowdog500]

You could swing the arms out to use the lift as a in a pinch. But why not spend $150-$200 and get a dedicated engine hoist? They aren't really that much, and once you have one you will be using it on a regular basis.

Chris

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Using anything stationary to pull an engine is a royal pain in the ****. You can't move the lift around as needed to avoid hitting parts of the car as the engine comes out/goes in. I'd just ante up the cash for an engine lift. I've had mine for 15 years & it's been used damn near 50 times already. It cost a whopping $99.00. Northern has one for $159.00. I'm somewhat surprised your friend doesn't already have one. It's almost impossible to service a race car regularly without one.

Tommy

 

[coljar]

I agree with using both arms and wouldn't have any problem utilizing the hoist for this purpose. Many moons ago, I pulled engines and helped friends pull engines every imaginable way, swing sets, tree limbs, wrecker boom, etc. The only thing is, I have an engine hoist, so I use it now days.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

$99 folding engine hoist on sale. I have a two post lift and wouldn't even consider the lift for engine work. Surprisingly, I haven't actually used the engine hoist on an engine yet. I keep using it to lift stuff in and out of the truck, a generator onto the work stand, etc.

 

[Shadowdog500]

$99 folding engine hoist on sale. I have a two post lift and wouldn't even consider the lift for engine work. Surprisingly, I haven't actually used the engine hoist on an engine yet. I keep using it to lift stuff in and out of the truck, a generator onto the work stand, etc.

Make sure it is a 2 ton with a long boom. 2 ton sounds like a lot, but that rating is with the arm retracted. The same 2 ton hoist is only rated for 1/2 ton (1,000lb) with the arm fully extended. Which is only a little over what you need.
In addition the arm is longer on the 2 ton models.

The 1 ton hoist has a short arm that won't reach over the engine on some cars. And the 500lb. Rating of a fully extended 1 ton press is not enough to lift a V8 and a ******, even if the arm was long enough to reach over the engine.

The only hoist I've ever seen on sale for $99 are the 1 ton models. The 2 ton models tend to go on sale for around $150. I bought mine on sale about a year ago at Pep Boys and love the thing.

Here it is moving my lathe.(see the different tonnage ratings based on extension on the arm)

Chris

 

[vankaye]

+1000 on the engine hoist. And, for an extra 45 bucks you can get the engine leveler which make the whole process much easier.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_19979_19979?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Automotive-_-Engine%20Hoists%20%2B%20Stands-_-14589&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=14589&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=14589&gclid=CIvDub7pncECFSgS7AodxUYAOA