Engine hauling

I'm getting an engine built and I'd like to pick it up myself in my pickup and take it home. My concern is how to support it for the trip home. It will be a several hour drive and not a cross town kind of thing. I know as a big lump of iron it's not super fragile, but I'd rather not so much as scratch the paint. Anybody hauled a finished engine (you cared about) in a pickup? Any suggestions how to best secure it for the trip?

 

Get a TA or AMP cradle and strap it down in the bed.

 

I have used an engine cradle to haul on a 10 hour drive no issue and also used an old tire with the engine set on top and strapped. That was like 30 miles. Also fine

Mike has them on his site but you have to call him. I have this one and it is nice:

http://automachperf.com/Buickperformanceparts.html

Todd has them and these are also nice, with or without wheels. I have one of these also:

https://www.stage1restoration.com/product/455-engine-cradle/

 

I have used the old tire method many times. If done properly, it works well.

 

I’ve hauled a finished motor on a bed of old tires and strapped down to a UHaul trailer from Valdosta to Orlando. No problem with the fresh paint on the motor.

 

I have the "Todd" cradle with wheels. (welded on), but I think it would be fine with 2x4s under to support the cradle and lift the wheels. If you have need of a cradle, it's worth every penny.

The "couple of tires" and straps work well, though.

 

Im surprised by the couple of tires thing. I assume the engine had the oil pan on. No damage at all? Either dents or just wear in the paint from vibration from a long trip?

 

You can use a "moving blanket" over the tires and a large yard trash bag on top of the blanket. Should be fine for the trip. But double stacking tires and good strapping, will keep it well off the bed of truck or trailer.

 

AMP Cradle

 

Just build a simple wooden box using 2x10s to fit around the oil pan rain front and sides, I think I used 1/2 plywood on the back so it could slide between the flex plate and oil pan. Strap it down and done.

 

I used my amp cradle to go from Texas to Ohio in my enclosed trailer.....1 strap over the motor, sat perfectly 1500 miles at 75 mph

 

Lotta ways to skin a (Wild)cat...

 

Have used tires (17.5 or 19.5" tires are great - much stiffer sidewall) but after using a cradle (AMP) I'd hate to ever use tires again.

 

I have a couple of those laying around. Simple and effective, it supports the engine at the oil pan rail. These are 2x6's. Attach to a pallet and strap engine to it to make it tip resistant. Attaching to a pallet makes it forklift-able too.

 

Engine cradle of some sort.

 

Either the wood box on a small skid, with provisions to tie it down (two hook eyes works fine) or an engine cradle would be best. I have shipped them cross country both ways.

JW