14 replies to this topic

[propjock]

Hello, I am trying to remove my 998 engine from
My Mini and need advice. I originally thought of buying an engine hoist but in person they are huge. Any other ideas on what I could use. The hoist is 1 ton hoist.

[nicklouse]

I used to use a friend and just lift it out. But a hoist is good now.

[stuart bowes]

take as many bits off of it as you can in situ to reduce weight, the head is quite heavy in itself, the starter and alternator aren't light either

 

once you're down to just the block clutch housing and gearbox, you could run a few strong ratchet straps around the underneath, check they're secure and won't slip off, get a scaffold pole or some other strong metal bar, and two people could very easily lift it up and out over the front panel.  you'll want the pole as low down as possible on the shortest amount of strap for minimum lifting.  don't use cheap flimsy straps off amazon though some of them are really crap

 

just one possible alternative method

 

personally I was lucky to know someone who lent me a hoist for a while.. actually I've still got it 2 years later he hasn't asked for it back yet which is poor form really I know

Edited by stuart bowes, 05 September 2024 - 08:40 PM.

[mab01uk]

Most areas have a local tool hire shop who will supply you with a portable engine hoist/crane for a daily/weekend or weekly charge.

They can fold up for transportation in a suitable vehicle but can also usually be delivered and picked up for an extra charge.

Example here:-

https://www.mark1hir...t/engine-hoist/

Edited by mab01uk, 05 September 2024 - 09:34 PM.

[68+86auto]

Instead of an actual engine crane, I use a crane designed for lifting injured/disabled people. I'm not the only one who does this. They actually roll better than the Chinese engine cranes and are a better size for a mini. I've picked up a couple of them for free.

[Spider]

While 2 people can lift the engine in and out, more or less complete - and for the record, I have done this many times in my youth - I would suggest using a lifting aid of some type.

Hiring one as mabuk01 has suggest maybe a good idea if you don't want to find somewhere to store it after you have finished with it.

 

Yours and yours mates backs will thank you in years to come (I am now paying a price for mine !) and it only takes a slip, not only to hurt yourselves, but also do some expensive damage to your Mini.

[Steam]

It may seem to be overkill to buy some sort of hoist just to remove a mini engine but it will make the job very easy and it will prove invaluable as time goes on. 8 have various here, engine crane, hoists, gantry, jib arm etc but there are many ways if you think outside the box.
Hiring something may be best for some, or you could rig a heath robinson affair with some poles and a tirfir winch or hoist. The old haynes manuals show a good example, but it was removed for later editions probably to satisfy the naany state syndrome.

[bpirie1000]

Could always drop the whole front subframe.

Jack the car body up and then it would give you access to the suspension, mounts, fuel/ brake lines, bulkhesd, brakes and engine and well everything else.

Would allow you to get in about and possibly paintbulkhead if needed.

Maybe alittle more than you intend to do but preventative maintenance.

[Ethel]

I've done it by making a tripod to suspend & steady the engine with rope while doing the lifting with a jack from underneath. Once it's above the slam panel push the car back out of the way.

 

If you weren't a boy scout (or Brownie), there are block & tackle hoists for not too many pennies. 

[mini-mad-mark]

Back in the day (1980's) my mate had three scaffold poles in a tripod with an ancient block and tackle but it was all jolly awkward.

 

We did also lift them out with a 4x2 (2x4!!!) and a strong bloke each side but I have played a lot of football (soccer!!!) since then and my knees are about done for so an engine hoist is the way to go

 

I did hire one quite a while back and it was £25 a day - whilst one day is enough to actually collect it, lift an engine out, put the other one in and get it back in the same day/24H, it is a bit of a rush 

I looked on Ebay and found one for £95 delivered (brand new) - of course you do have to store it however it's paid for itself 2 or 3 times over, compared to hiring

 

I see they are about £175 for the cheapest one on Ebay now but hiring hasn't gone up so much and is about £35-40 a day (round my way anyway)

 

You pays your money and you takes your choice

[propjock]

Thanks everyone

[miniGTS]

I use a block and tackle or chainblock or maybe it's called something else in your part of the world. Always done it thus way and they're cheaper than a hydraulic engine crane

[Lplus]

I have a crane but now use a chain block on a beefed up rafter in the middle of the garage.  I do have to push the car out from under the engine and put the engine on a flat trolly to move it but at least I stay dry.

[Mini Manannán]

Back in the day I had to get an engine out of my mini. My dad called his big mate Dermott round, he just lifted it straight out with arm power! That was 40 years ago, I'm gobsmacked to this day!

Edited by Mini Manannán, 07 September 2024 - 05:45 PM.

[bpirie1000]

Maybe try and contact your local mini club,... sure someone there will have something you could borrow....