MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Engine hoist / crane advice

The tripod I use with my block and tackle has finally given up so I hired a hoist last week to help pull the engine out. When the hoist arrived it was two wide to go under the car. When I measured the width of the MGA track its about 42" and the hoist was 44" wide. After a struggle I managed to get the engine out, but I won't be able to use the same hoist to put it back unless I put the car up on axle stands so the hoist can go under.

Has anyone else had the same problem and had to remove the wheels to get the hoist/crane under the car? My concern is I don't like the idea of accidentally lifting or pushing the car of the stands.

I suspect the way forward is to by a crane that will fit under the car.

As a aside I left the bonnet/hood in position as recommended by Steve Gyles which made the job a lot easier

Regards...John
J Bray

John

I have not had your problem. I use a Clarke crane, this one I think, but I will check tonight: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cfc1000-1-t-econ-folding-workshop-cran/path/workshop-cranes-engine-stands

It has paid for itself twice over at least during the last 10 years, compared to hire costs.

Steve
Steve Gyles

J, I had the same problem. What I ended up doing was putting the jack between the legs of the hoist and jacking the car higher enough to clear. Once the hoist is in You can let it down. You can then puch the jack in futher to Jack up the transmition as high as it can go to allow the engine to slide out. ( this is of course if you intend to leave the transmission in and pull just the engine)
Bill R

John,
I finally bought a hoist for removing engines. It is a much better way to go. I was able to buy a used one for about half the price of a new one. There are a lot of used ones in peoples garages that have only been used once or twice. You just have to seek them out. The best price is obtained from the wife who just wants theat thing out of her way! Be shure to check the width of the legs, as they are not all alike.
Ed
Ed Bell

I prefer the crane to the hoist because of its versatility. Apart from MGA engine removals and replacements I have used it to tilt my garden shed while I replaced some bearers underneath. I've also used it to lift heavy items out of the main car boot/trunk and wheel them into the garage or garden, etc etc. It's saved my knackered back an appreciable amount of pain.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Just removed my engine, and left gearbox in place. The hoist fitted between the front wheels ok. I guess they all vary in width. Best to check the dimension before you buy or hire.
More of a concern was reaching over the long nose of the front of the car to get the hook somewhere near the centre of the engine. Luckily have a telescopic jib so just about managed it at full reach, of 1/4 ton rating. The capacity and reach of any intended purchase needs to be checked also.
I had no problem with lift over body, but you need to let the hook down as far as possible before you rope or strap the engine.
Henry

John

I can confirm my crane is as per link I posted. Here it is in action.

Steve

PS. Ignore all the breathing pipework on the engine. It is now all standard as recommended by Barney. Also, the lifting ropes are 10T brake parachute lines from an RAF Lightning brake parachute, tested to 170mph!



Steve Gyles

Thank you al for your kind advice I will invest in the crane,

Bill very smart idea I wish I had known about it last week, it would have saved me a lot of hassle.

Ed thank you for the advice, I will check the width of the wife's legs as recommended!!

Steve thanks for the info and picture, nice workshop, is the Radio tuned to Radio 2 or 4? Its interesting you pass the lifting ropes right round the engine, I still use the two brackets and chain on the rocker shaft which give a nice stable lift.

I know its a little of topic, but could you possibly summarise the breathing arrangment you ended up with on your 1800 following Barney's advice

Regards...John
J Bray

While Steve might have good rope for lifting the engine, I would like to offer my own caveat here. The engine weighs about 400 pounds without the transmission, and while a rope may be able to handle the static weight of 400 pounds, and parachute rope is rated at a tensile strength of 550 lb., I would recommend a nylon strap rated at 2000 pounds. If the engine catches in the car, it is easy to exceed the 550 pounds. Parachute line also has stretch, which might affect the pull of the engine. Also, it is a good idea to put the rope or strap through a sleeve to prevent abrasion against the corners of the engine, or whatever else it might be cut by. Old firehose is excellent for this.
Mike Parker

John,
It was not the wife's legs I was refering to. You are on your own if you start measuring anything other than the legs of a crane!
Ed Bell

Hi John
I use 'car skates'(steel plate on wheels) under my road wheels alowing me to move my car anyway I like. I just hang the engine from come-a-long mouted to a rafter and move the car under it. No engine crane to store. The skates increase ground clearance by about 3IN alowing me to get better access under it. (I do NOT sell car skates)It was one of my better spend moneys.
Martin
Martin

Mike

The parachute lines I refer to are unlike normal parachutist's lines. They are made of nylon and are flat section, measuring 20mm x 5mm. Extremely strong, able to withstand the snap of deployment at about 170mph from an aircraft weighing about 30,000lbs. Plenty strong enough to lift my engine, perhaps the whole car.

Steve
Steve Gyles

John

Radio 5 primarily, occasionally Radio 2! The breathing arrangement I now have is exactly standard for the MGA. That's why I said to ignore all that pipework. It was a misinformed modification. Barney took a lot of time out to tell us how the breathing system on the MGA is designed to work. It probably accounts for why my engine now purrs along.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve,

My breathing arrangment is the same as in your photograph.Its so long since I used standard MGA can you confirm the following

Rocker cover outlet to airfilter
Cranckase to atmosphere

Non-vented or vented oil filler cap?

Regards...John
J Bray

John

All as you say. It's the standard MGA cap. I presume it's non-vented, but someone else who knows for sure will tell us.

Steve
Steve Gyles

John, check Barney's site mgaguru.com, it's all there plus a clear explanation.

Neil McGurk

Steve,
I think you are referring to a parachute to stop the plane? Your parachute lines are definitely different than what I thought you were discussing.
Glad you weren't using what I thought you were.
Mike Parker


Thank you Neil and Steve, and as always Barney,I now understand the breathing arrangments.

J Bray

This thread was discussed between 26/06/2007 and 27/06/2007

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.