Lifting the Engine 5.7L - Weight

[76SeaRay]

So, I have lifted my new engine into the boat without the exhaust manifolds, alternator, starter, ps pump, and other miscellaneous parts.. Bit scary with all that weight way up in the air (gantry crane and chain hoist).. I took it back out since I am working on the new stringers in the engine bay so it will have to go back in again later.

Now that I have received the new dry joint manifolds and the closed cooling system (both of which are heavy) I am wondering about the overall weight and whether my gantry crane with my chain hoist can handle it.. I have to lift the bottom of the engine about 6 feet in the air to clear the transom with the boat on the trailer.. Anybody know what the estimated weight is for a GM (Mercruiser) 5.7L built fully up with all the accessory parts, exhaust manifolds/risers, and fully closed system in place? I plan to run it on an engine stand to break it in but I don't want to have to tear it back apart to get the weight down to hoist it into the boat again..

Additionally, when lifting as a full up engine, what are the best lift points? It looks like when I install the closed system that the lifting eye does not go on the thermostat housing anymore. If I use a lifting plate on the intake (vortec), is that really strong enough to take the weight with the heavy manifolds?

Thanks...

 

[Scott Danforth]

with exhaust and heat exchanger and fluids, expect about 800#

stock lift points are best, loop on front of thermostat housing, one loop on back of each cylinder head. however without the front loop, find one of the other bolts in the front of the head. or pull the exhaust manifolds off and use one each of the 3/8" exhaust threaded holes at the 4 corners. you also remove about 125# by pulling both manifolds and elbows.

that MPI intake is not strong enough to lift the motor

 

[76SeaRay]

Thanks, I will double check my capacity on the gantry crane and chain hoist. I might then just use my older wet joint manifolds for the break in then pull them off to lift the engine into the boat. Once in the boat, I would install the new dry joint manifolds. I will have lots of room to do that since I will be custom building rear seats and engine dog house once the engine is in the boat so there would be absolutely nothing in the way..

 

[Greg_E]

I had the same concerns using my engine hoist to lift the engine and transmission, mounted on a cart into the back of my truck. I opted to just install the manifolds without the spacers and elbows. Just block off the openings in the manifold so nothing can drop in during transport and installation. It was much easier to install the manifolds with the engine out of the boat. Once in the boat it is a simple task to install the spacers and elbows.