What is the easiest way to lift a engine with out a engine hoist??

Question

Hey I have a engine on a trailer and I need to lift it off. Well the problem is I do not have a engine hoist. So what is the best way to get it off without one?

Answer 1

Old school method.

Take six 12 foot long 2x4's nail them together so you have three , then stand them in a tripod over auto and chain the top together with heavy chain, then attach a come along to the chain on top and to a chain  or hoist point on engine ( to use chain undo two bolts exhaust manifold bolts work and put them through chain and tighten, leave enough space above engine to maneuver ) slowly lift engine from auto.

I pulled a 454 out with this method, but forgot one bolt and had the El Camino's front end off the ground until i found the culprit.

Answer 2

use tri-pods or a cherry picker.

Answer 3

Is it a full motor and trans assembled?  If not you should be able to do it with a few friends.  We had 3 people lift a motor from the back of a mazda tribute before.

Answer 4

Get 2 or 3 or even 4 guys and use your legs to lift and NOT YOUR BACK or your gonna be in pain for a long long time and your legs have the strongest muscles in your body so your going to have alot easier time, engines could be between 300-700 lbs and trannys could be between 200-400 lbs. Iv done it before and it wasnt to hard if you lift it correctly. But again myself and my freind are fairly big guys and in our early 20's, so it all depends on your build, age, and strength too.

Answer 5

We lifted one off with a bunch of guys but it is very risky and someone could really get hurt. Try to find a hoist you can borrow. It's not worth the risk to try it by hand.You just said it's the complete unit get a hoist even if you have to rent one.