Swapping engines

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by piper6909

I'm surprised you didn't go out and buy a forklift.

I could almost afford one if I hadn't used up my unexpected windfall on the Solution and other pricey parts. A few years back I had a chance to get a Bobcat for $1500, but I was too late by ten minutes! Someone else aced me. The guy that owned it had died and his wife was selling off his tools. I still feel like howling at the moon when I think about it.

[LoneWolfGal]

The engine pallet and a few tools loaded into a 6x12 covered cargo trailer. Just starting to secure everything with ratchet straps, trying different anchor points. I have eight straps available, plus moving blankets. (And the top toolbox will ride on the floor.) Didn't need to use a come-along to get the engine in the trailer. I managed to get it up the ramp with two helpers as primary motive power. "Put your backs to it, lads," I exhorted them, which they seemed to appreciate. And I pushed, too. I will no doubt need the come-along when I unload it at the destination, solo.

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

"Put your backs into it, lads,"

Congrtulations!

I have never doubt the power of a woman with determination :-)

[Hamstuh]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

More proof the compression tool was made of soft metal and therefore the defendant is not just a careless idiot who overtightens things. If it please the Court, I present the following photograph as Exhibit 1:



Note the 6mm wide, 1mm deep channel in the shaft near the threads. The nut was full of metal bits from the damaged threads and therefore difficult to turn, so the defendant used a pair of small vice grips to hold the shaft. Apparently, the vice grips weren't cinched down enough, so they carved the channel during a single rotation of the shaft. A channel of this depth could not be created so quickly unless the metal was soft.

And so, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I submit to you that this entire fiasco resulted from too-soft metal and therefore LoneWolfGal is innocent of boneheaded workmanship.

The defense rests.

quite the rollercoaster of emotions all for this tool that i now need to buy for my timing job. just off all of this im thinking Pipers nudge towards building the special tool 9632 from the youtube video might be ideal and effective with time and price

[LoneWolfGal]

The engine's at the new place. This was taken just after it was unloaded. I had been sweating unloading it, but I needn't have worried, and I didn't have to use the come-along after all. I merely guided the engine while it sailed down the 4x8 ramp in stately fashion. It began gathering momentum toward the bottom but then it encountered the stack of moving blankets I'd placed there. I attribute the trouble-free unloading to the heavy-duty 4" wheels (with brakes) I installed on the pallet. Moving the 500 lb engine around on a level surface is easy as pie.

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

The engine's at the new place. This was taken just after it was unloaded. I had been sweating unloading it, but I needn't have worried, and I didn't have to use the come-along after all. I merely guided the engine while it sailed down the 4x8 ramp in stately fashion. It began gathering momentum toward the bottom but then it encountered the stack of moving blankets I'd placed there. I attribute the trouble-free unloading to the heavy-duty 4" wheels (with brakes) I installed on the pallet. Moving the 500 lb engine around on a level surface is easy as pie.

Welcome to your new home!

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by Gilles

Welcome to your new home!

Thanks, Gilles. I'm not finished moving yet, but one more trailer load should do it, except for the Porsche. I'm going to rent an auto hauler for it from U-Haul next week and deliver that 986 to its new digs in style. Then I'm going to kick back for a while to recharge. Moving is rather taxing. As in totally exhausting.

[piper6909]

Do you have AAA? You can get a free tow on a flatbed.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by piper6909

Do you have AAA? You can get a free tow on a flatbed.

Al, I had AAA a couple years back but didn't renew it, because State Farm has roadside service. I'm leaning toward using a "tow dolly," which lifts the front and leaves the rear wheels on the road to freewheel. Everyone I've talked to says tow dollies are the way to go for light cars.



https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Tow-Dolly-Rental/TD/

[Newsguy]

I was checking into this some time ago. I discovered tow dolly’s are not recommended for the Boxster. I believe the transmission is the problem.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by Newsguy

I was checking into this some time ago. I discovered tow dolly’s are not recommended for the Boxster. I believe the transmission is the problem.

I can't accept that, Newsguy. If a tow dolly is a problem, then merely coasting in neutral would be a problem.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

I can't accept that, Newsguy. If a tow dolly is a problem, then merely coasting in neutral would be a problem.

I'm in agreement with Newsguy. I would not recommend a dolly. Assuming it doesn't harm the transmission, the low clearance is also a big concern. Your local U-Haul should have car trailers where you can load the whole car.

https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Auto-Transport-Rental/AT/

[Newsguy]

Coasting is not the same as towing for miles.
I would really like that solution to work, but I'm not willing to risk it.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by piper6909

I'm in agreement with Newsguy. I would not recommend a dolly. Assuming it doesn't harm the transmission, the low clearance is also a big concern. Your local U-Haul should have car trailers where you can load the whole car.

https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Auto-Transport-Rental/AT/

I'll look into it further. I didn't consider rear ground clearance, The full-size auto transport is considerably heavier than the tow dolly, which is a concern. They're made to haul heavy vehicles. I don't want to exceed my Isuzu's 4000 lb. tow capacity, although I once towed a 5000-lb travel trailer with it, so it does have some reserve.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

I'll look into it further. I didn't consider rear ground clearance, The full-size auto transport is considerably heavier than the tow dolly, which is a concern. They're made to haul heavy vehicles. I don't want to exceed my Isuzu's 4000 lb. tow capacity, although I once towed a 5000-lb travel trailer with it, so it does have some reserve.

You can tell the U-Haul rep what your tow vehicle is and the vehicle you're towing and they'll tell you if you're within limits.

This is helpful:
https://www.uhaul.com/Tips/Towing/Auto-Transporter-User-Instructions-121/

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by piper6909

This is helpful:
https://www.uhaul.com/Tips/Towing/Auto-Transporter-User-Instructions-121/

Thanks, Al. Lots of useful information in there. So far I've towed two fully loaded covered cargo trailers over there, a 6x12 and a 5x9. Only the Porsche remains to be moved.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

although I once towed a 5000-lb travel trailer with it, so it does have some reserve.

The Boxster weighs 2778 and the trailer weighs 2210, according to the U-haul website, for a total weight of 4988. If you've already pulled a 5000 pound trailer, this shouldn't be a problem. I would imagine you've pulled the trailer much further than you'll be pulling the Box, right?

Another option is to rent one of their pickup trucks along with the trailer. You can rent them by the hour for fairly cheap. This will give you peace of mind and eliminate any risk to your Trooper.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by Newsguy

I was checking into this some time ago. I discovered tow dolly’s are not recommended for the Boxster. I believe the transmission is the problem.

I was skeptical, but it turns out you and Al were correct about possible damage to the transmission using a tow dolly::

Transmission damage to your vehicle-in-tow

When towing a rear axle driven front engine vehicle on a tow dolly, the drive shaft must be disconnected to prevent transmission damage. Simply placing the transmission in neutral is not sufficient and will not prevent damage due to a lack of internal lubrication. You must disconnect the drive shaft at the rear axle and tie or wire it up. The universal joint bearing caps must be taped on to prevent loss of the bearings. If you choose to remove the drive shaft entirely, it may be necessary to cap the transmission tail shaft to prevent fluid loss and possible future damage. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual.

https://www.uhaul.com/Tips/Towing/Tow-Dolly-User-Instructions-120/

Drat! And here I'd assumed the problem was solved. Thanks to both of you. You kept me from making a dumb mistake.

[piper6909]

I just checked the Uhaul site and you can rent a pickup or a 10' box truck for $19.95/hour (plus $1.39/mile). Too bad you don't have anything left in the other house, otherwise the 10' truck would have been perfect. If you have nothing else to haul, the pickup may be your best bet, given it'll be easier to handle and probably gets better mileage. The car carrier alone costs 54.95, for a total of $74.90 before tagging on miles.

Maybe call a towing company and see what they would charge for a flatbed. My guess it would be not much more. You'll save yourself a lot of hassle, and they're liable if anything happens. National average is from $75 to $125

As a die-hard DIYer, I evaluate the options and sometimes conclude that even a die-hard DIYer has to call in reinforcements occasionally.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by piper6909

I just checked the Uhaul site and you can rent a pickup or a 10' box truck for $19.95/hour (plus $1.39/mile). Too bad you don't have anything left in the other house, otherwise the 10' truck would have been perfect. If you have nothing else to haul, the pickup may be your best bet, given it'll be easier to handle and probably gets better mileage. The car carrier alone costs 54.95, for a total of $74.90 before tagging on miles.

Maybe call a towing company and see what they would charge for a flatbed. My guess it would be not much more. You'll save yourself a lot of hassle, and they're liable if anything happens. National average is from $75 to $125

As a die-hard DIYer, I evaluate the options and sometimes conclude that even a die-hard DIYer has to call in reinforcements occasionally.

Al, the problem is, I'm moving from Corbett, Oregon (on the Columbia River Gorge, east of Portland) to Eugene, about 140 miles south. so the mileage on the rental truck would probably add up to quite a sum. Also, I would face logistical problems picking up the truck and returning it, since U-Haul is 15 miles away, in Gresham, and it seems all my friends in the area are out of town this week. Otherwise, one of them could give me a lift..

I'm leaning toward renting U-Haul's auto transport, even though the combined weight of car and trailer approaches 5000 lbs. As I said, I once towed a 5000 lb. travel trailer for a friend with my 4WD Isuzu Rodeo without a problem, but it was only 30 miles; 140 miles could be a strain. Or not. The Isuzu is pretty beefy, and it would be a straight shot down I-5 on mostly flat pavement. As an alternative, I think I'll call some transport companies and find out how much they would charge to flatbed the car down there.

I had naively assumed the tow dolly was the perfect solution for towing the car. But nooo! That would be too simple and easy.