Hey, guys I literally just hoisted out my 350 engine and transmission out of an 88 pontiac and I have a problem. I'm working on dirt and gravel and I can't move my hoist to where I can sit the engine down. I also can't move the car backward because my out of commission camaro is in the way. I was suggested with putting plywood under the hoist wheels but I've already lifted the engine completely out and can't set it back down in the bay.

I was thinking about taking some ratchet straps and attaching them to the hoist securely and pulling the hoist with my truck but I'm not sure this would be very safe.

Help please?

 

Planning Ahead:
Always make sure you have change before entering an automatic toll booth.
Always make sure there's toilet paper on the roll before you sit down.
And always always make sure there's a way to roll an engine around on a hoist before you remove it.
Which direction were you thinking of pulling the hoist, backwards? You might get away with that if you can strap it down low. But if it starts to pull sideways the hoist could dig in and go over.
I don't spose you could post a picture to give us a better lay of the land? Might make it easier than painting a picture in the head.

 

And I can't tell you how many times a set of these would have come in real handy for me: Sky Hook Set - $380.99 : KaleCoAuto.com, Your home for the rare, unusual, and hard to find auto parts.

 

Yes, going straight back was my plan. I just need to get the engine in a position where I can sit it down.

 

Attachment is giving an error message.

 

https://snt143.mail.live.com/att/Get...UvanBlZw_3d_3d

 

Pics still not working

Lay plywood right behind hoist (up against wheel), also cut strips of plywood and put up against hoist front wheel (closest to engine). Do not pull with truck, but hook a comealong to your truck and ratchet hoist very slowly (A friend with a winch on front of 4x4 works great too). As soon as its on plywood stop and fill in gaps between front and rear wheels on hoist.

 

I think you might have to bite the bullet and sit the engine back down in the car, even if it's just sitting on blocks of wood to hold it. Then get the plywood under the hoist and pick the engine back up. Make sure your plywood is thick enough to support the weight, and the base gravel is level too. You could also use wafer board, as it's cheaper and will hold up well. I have waafer board down on grvel in my canopy, and have pulled several engines on it with good results.

 

Yeah, lol all this advice was a little too late. I used the truck and the hoist did indeed tip over, amazingly though I somehow attained super strength and was able to grab the hoist and let it down slowly, so no damage to the engine and it actually solved my problem of getting a place to set the engine. Thanks though guys! Next engine to come out will be better thought out!