How to hoist an engine?

[rburlington]

Friends,

It's time to attach the transom on my ExF 24'6" outboard.  Problem: how do I hoist and remove the engine under the following circumstances:

1.  The boat is on blocks indoors and the engine is a 1986 220 hp Yamaha.

2.  The engine lift ring is standing at 7'9" above the dirt floor.

3.  The available engine hoist will only extend to 7'10", not enough to hook and lift the engine free.

4.  The hoist will have to come under the boat and over the engine at an angle b/c there is a boat 14" behind mine.  There is room to accomplish this.

One solution that has been suggested is to tilt the engine to lower it and then wrap the head in a sling and hoist.

What should I use for the sling?  Chain?  Fabric?

What should not get strain with such an arrangement?

Can the engine be laid on the ground or does it have to be upright on a support of some kind?

Any other critical issues I should consider or suggestions will be much appreciated.

Thanks,
RGB

[ralpht44]

I just had a similar circumstance lifting an old 200 Evinrude off my 19-6 Family Fish. I have a foldable engine hoist that could not get to it either. I went to a local tool rental place a found a lift that sits in the bed of your truck. I pulled right along the port side and pulled her right off, no problem. I rented the same tool below for $120.00 and ti was well worth it. Just a suggestion but it worked for me.


http://www2.northerntool.com/product-1/7179.htm

[rburlington]

Unfortunately my boat is in a location that cannot be approached by a vehicle.   The pick-up hoist looks like a very good idea for other circumstances.
RGB

[pete]

is there any way to raise the engine hoist or lower the boat?

[LilRichard]

Do you have sturdy rafters above the motor?  If so, get yourself a chain hoist, strap it around a few girders, and lift away.

[rburlington]

Thanks for the input.

Rafters are too hight (more than 30 feet up) and too weak (spanning 60 feet using what looks from below like 2 X 6's with relatively few supports between the top and bottom of the rafters).

I don't think I can lower the boat, although I will have another look and see if that is possible.

My solution--I think I will build up a floor about 12 inches using 4 rows of foundation blocks, cover it with 1/2 plywood and assemble the hoist on top of that.  I only need a few inches of lift to clear the transom.  Hope it works.
RGB

[pete]

we are men of the sea!no obstacle will stop us!

[JimCt]

Maybe have your local outboard shop lift it off?  They can put it in the back of your truck.  From there the hoist will handle it.  They may even have some crating from a new engine available.  Worth a call.

[GoneFission]

Rather than working from the top, how about working from the bottom?  Put a jack under the motor and lift it off.  Something like a auto hydraulic jack should work.  You will have to be very careful to stabilize the motor as it comes up - don't let it sway one way or the other or you will discover what some motorcycle drivers have - turnover!  
 

Once its up, you can spin it around and lower it on a motor stand, or have several friends help out to put it over on its side.  It probably weighs about 500 lbs., so be careful!

[damnitbadger]

Put lower blocks under the boat.