Engine lift details w/ pics

[drewpster]

I finally got it done! I have been working towards this for a long time. Finally things came together. Here is how things went.
First I set the gantry to height. It is a scary 12 feet from the ground to the beam!

After removing the canopy, un-bolting everything and rigging the leveler and chain fall, I started to lift it out.

I made sure the gantry was level. It took the weight with ease and remained centered through the whole process. I eased it up out of the bilge and worked up and down the ladder moving the gantry and lifting the engine. Here things get a bit hairy. To clear the transom the engine had to be lifted all the way up. It cleared the transom deck by an inch or so eight feet off the ground.

I kept working aft until the engine cleared the boat far enough to lower it to a safer level.

A little more maneuvering and it is on the stand in the shop. By then I was sweating and its only about 50 degrees here today! Home build gantry did its job! Now what do I do?

 

[oops!]

Re: Engine lift details w/ pics

good job drewp.....

did you notice any sway when it was all the way up?

and in reguards to your question...... whatta wanna do ?

 

[Wcsweb]

Re: Engine lift details w/ pics

Dude,

The paint job on your boat looks awesome. What kinda paint did you use?

 

[salty87]

Re: Engine lift details w/ pics

how's it run? strip that sucker down and at least clean/paint everything before putting it back in.

don't forget to paint the bilge too. new fuel lines, did you check the cutless bearing?

 

[180shabah]

Re: Engine lift details w/ pics

What engine is it? Are you thinking rebuild or replace?

 

[drewpster]

Re: Engine lift details w/ pics

Thanks, The gantry worked great. It never moved, but the engine did...a little. Rest assured I worked slowly. The ground under the boat is level, I verified it with a level on the gantry beam, but it is not completely smooth. It took a little effort to roll. My wife served as an extra pair of eyes just in case. I have done plenty of heavy lifting at work. However that normally involves using certified equipment. Given that this was done using something I built, over my most prized possession, I have to admit the sphincter factor was a bit up there.
The engine ran fine when the boat was floating. I plan to do some stringer re-coring and some general bilge improvements. The deck for the waste tank is new but the battery deck and the fresh water tank mounts will be changed. I also plan to some electrical and plumbing while I have access. General improvements all around are needed.
Chrysler Marine located there engine tag on the bellhousing, not the engine. The tag denotes a M273 (273C.I.D) but I need a bit more verifying. I am certain that at very least it has been rebuilt. There is a sticker on one of the valve covers, "Precision Marine, Hixon, Tn". This could be a 318 c.i.d. If the engine was rebuilt, given the rarity of 273 marine parts, I would not be surprised if this is a 318 long block. I need to find some casting numbers or find a Chrysler expert. The Chrysler thread has not been much help identifying what I have here.
I originally planed to reseal and paint everything. Last night I pulled the exhaust and the intake. The intake side looks great but I found standing water in one of the exhaust ports and rust. Guess I need manifolds, maybe a valve job so far. I will know more after I pull the heads and oil pan.
I have found some marine 318 long blocks for around $1800 with warrantees. That may be my next move. I also plan to go through the velvet drive. Luckily I have an ex-boss that is good with velvet drives. I will be enlisting his help with that.
Hmm, My pocket book is getting really sore!

 

[drewpster]

Re: Engine lift details w/ pics

BTW thanks for the compliments on the paint. The yellow is Interlux Perfection paint (fighting lady yellow) The while is Interlux Brightside (white 4389, i think) The bottom is not done yet.