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MG MGB Technical - Removing and Storing Engine....Questions

Hey all --

I will be starting my mgb restoration this winter. While the car is off at the shop getting the body work done, I want to rebuild the engine.

My questions regard removing the engine.

What size crane is the best size?

What should the engine stand capacity be? and will a conventional engine stand work with this engine?

Is there a cheap way to either build a stand from scratch for either the engine or transmission?

Any help, links, or pictures would be great! Thanks, Brian

baco@alum.dartmouth.org
baco99@excite.com
Brian Salazar

The B engine does not need much of a stand. I use a $50 stand that I bought from Harbor Freight. A heavier would be better, though. It is not worth the effort to try to make one yourself if you value your time. I also use an engine hoist from HF. It works OK but is a bear to roll around. Casters are not very good. Also you need to check and make sure how much room you have under your car. With the back end jacked up in the recomended method there is not much room under the front of the car for a hoist. I add a piece of 3/4" plywood under the front wheels to get just enough clearance with my hoist. You will also need something to tilt the engine/tranny on the way in and out. HF also sells this but it is too long. I cut mine and shortened it to match the rocker cover bolts of a B engine.
gerry masterman

Brian. I have a hoist about like Gerry described. As Gerry said they will work,
I used it to remove and install a Jensen Interceptor Chrysler 440 engine and 727
trans. I have a 1000 lb. capacity low cost stand, it's ok for an MGB engine but
when I put the Chrysler 440 engine from a Jensen Interceptor it was almost too
much for it. I also have one of the universal tilters. I can get you some photos
but it may be a couple of days.

Gerry. I recently purchased a pair of lifting eyes and have a couple of questions.
I assume they are installed under the long valve cover retaining nut? Should the
valve cover be removed when the engine is removed? The reason I ask, I used
them with my long beamed tilter to pull my 68 GT engine and trans. last week
and the front lifting eye bent the valve cover and the front rocker stud. Not big
problems but I hate bending the volve cover. Maybe the log beam on the tilter
caused the problem. Clifton
Clifton Gordon

Thanks for the info!

I think I'll pick up a conventional stand then. I have seen 1000 lb versions selling for ony $30 around here. My neighbor might have a lift I can use too. What about the tilt mechanism that Moss Motors sells? Will that work?

And pictures are welcome. This project probably won't really start until after xmas. I'm just getting the planning done now.
Brian Salazar

Clifton, I use a couple of pieces of angle iron with holes drilled in them to attatch to the valve cover studs. I hook the chains from my leveler to the angles with small shackles. I shortened my leveler by cutting 5" out of the middle and welding it back together. This way the load goes up rather than out at a 45 deg angle like it did before. With the side thrust I bent one stud, which is what led me to shorten the leveler. An alternative would be to make up a longer piece of angle with holes for the leveler further apart than the holes for the studs. I always remove the valve cover ang throw some rags on the top of the head to keep debris off the head.
gerry masterman

Gerry: Thanks, you answered my questions. I do sometimes use my levelor
for other jobs and cutting it may not be good for me. I like the idea of a
longer angle iron and I will do that to put the engine back in. I straightened
my valve cover it looks pretty good in primer, but I know when I paint it in gloss
it will show things the primer hides.

I looked at the Oberg levelor Moss has and it looks as if it may be a good tool.
My concern is the cables look rather long and the 8 foot ceiling in my basement
shop may not be high enough. Does anyone out there use this tool and can
you comment on any height limitations due to the cable length?

Regards, Clifton
Clifton Gordon

This holiday wish list keeps getting longer!!!

; )
Brian Salazar

I can't comment on how it works, 'cause it's still unused, in the box. I got the Oberg tilt lift from Moss, but ended up using one of the heavier, horizontal type screw-jack levelers with a couple of spreader bars for manuevering my V8 in and out of the engine bay.
I'll send the brand-new unused, Oberg tool to anyone in the lower 48 for $50, and I'll pay shipping. If anybody's interested, email me and we'll work something out.

Joe
Joe Ullman

This thread was discussed between 25/11/2001 and 27/11/2001

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