Engine crane questions

[clarko74]

Morning all,

I'm going to attempt my first engine change this weekend (keeping it simple with a 2.0 to 2.5 conversion) and I need to get hold of an engine crane.

I've looked at hiring one from HSS which at around £40 doesn't sound too bad. However I will need to get it home, does anyone know if a folding engine crane will fit into the back of an average sized hatchback (Peugeot 307) with the seats folded down? And if I go to the hire shop on my own will I be able to get it in the car and out at the other end as they weigh about 80kg as far as I know?

If I can't get it home on my own I might look at buying one from machine mart and selling it on ebay next week as the delivery charges from HSS really start to add up.

Or has anyone near me (Croydon, Folkestone or in between) got one that they're not using and would be willing to hire out to me for the weekend?

And one last thing: Is it worth also getting a load leveller? How much easier will this make the job?

Cheers,


Adrian

[FlappySocks]

They are very heavy. Can't the hire shop deliver? Have you considered buying one? It will take the pressure off getting the job done in the allotted time. You could always sell it afterwards.

[E30BeemerLad]

you may struggle getting one in the back of your car, even folded down they can be bulky and they certainly are heavy.

Buying one - the only hassle is getting it sold on again and arranging shipping

load leveller is not essential

[daimlerman]

I hired from HSS's local shop in Lincoln.Their crane came in kit form and fitted in the boot of an E30.But beware,because I was an hour late returning it and another punter wanted it I was billed a second day's hire. Next time I searched the 'bay and bought secondhand,then sold on afterwards,the total cost to me was the hassle of collecting and delivering and I think I lost £10 on the purchase/sale.When buying,consider your working area,the cheap cranes from the likes of Machine Mart have very small wheels,fine on a perfectly smooth garage floor but a waste oof time on the average driveway. Check out E30beemerlad's thread in the photo gallery,that's the crane that I bought and sold,nice big wheels and a good big lift.Took 3 of us to manouvere it in and out of my touring,though.

[clarko74]

Cheers fellas,

Thanks for the info, I've decided to hire one and get them to deliver it. I enquired at HSS, apparently they reckon it would go in the back of the Peugeot but at 155kg I doubt I'd ever get it out again on my own!

Decided not to buy one as I'm doing the work at my girlfriend's mum's house so can't really be leaving large bits of equipment around her driveway for days on end while I find a buyer for it afterwards. I'm surprised she's letting me do the work there at all so I don't to push my luck.

Cheers for pointing me in the direction of E30Beemerlads thread in the photo gallery, very interesting stuff.

[mhuk]

I got myself a clark crane about 2 years ago for dropping my volvo 480t engine and box out. I kept it and since used it on my triumph spitfire and it's handy for moving heavy things around. Top tool

[stoneyV6]

I got a clark crane also,, came in two small boxes that fitted in the boot of my fiesta.

reasonably cheap to buy easy to assemble and worked very well,, lifted my BM motor no probs.

bit pricey if its for a one off job but i am sure i will be needing it again.

[JazzMan]

^ I did that too, used it often enough now to justify buying it have lent it to several people as well over the last few year. Legs come off so its easy to get into most cars.

[murran]

ive got a clark one too. im not a big chap but i can man handle it in and out of my touring.
my dad bought it for my birthday about 3 years ago. good old dads!!!