Diesel Engine Removal / Replacement

[Bud22569]

I may need to remove the engine from my old 30 sailboat. No doubt I will attempt to minimize the expense. The engine weighs about 350 lbs. I have never seen this done and do not want make errors in the decision of how to do it. Man-handling seems like an accident looking for a place to happen.

Short of turining it over to a boat yard to just do it, what are the options?

Does the boat need to be on the hard to remove the engine? It seems to me that the only controlled option with the boat in the water would be to use a travel lift.

How do they lift the engines out of boats in the boat yard... with a travel lift, or cherry picker?

I am just trying to make a plan in the event that the engine does need to come out. Any experience that you have had is very welcome.

 

[KorculaChris]

Lots of folks use a 4-part tackle (a strong vang, etc) strapped to the boom, and a halyard to act as the topping lift. You have a built-in crane/lifting tackle.

 

[Roger Long]

Try calling some sign companies. They often put up signs that weight this much and are used to dealing with expensive and delicate objects. Business is probably just as slow for them as anyone else these days and they might be glad of the work. Masts usually cost under 200 bucks when a sign company puts them up or down.

 

[sailingdog]

I'd second calling a sign company. A lot of them have bucket trucks that can handle that kind of weight, even with someone in the bucket.

 

[jibes138]

Engine removal

Depending on what you are taking it out for you could disassemble it in place and take it out in pieces. Drain oil and coolant probably saves 16 pounds. Remove the exhaust manifold and alternator and brackets. Remove valve cover. Remove head assembly . Then you have the heqaviest part, the engine block but now it is probably 150 pounds or so. Maybe the transmission can come out separately too.

 

[Relentless]

I pulled my Universal M25 using a small wire hoist attached to the boom, then just swung it over to the dock. Hardest part was putting it in the truck.

 

[Ross]

Most of your discisions will be based on where you can set up to do the lifting and placing. I changed engines on the hard. I lifted the old engine out with a come-a-long and the boom and set it on a four swivel caster dolly. For the new engine I hired a sign company to lift it and swing it into place. I asked concerning the capacity of the truck mounted crane and was told 5000 pounds.
I don't know how I would do that at the dock because I am at the end of a 300 foot floating pier.

 

[BobM]

4 caster dollies

Are about $20-30 at Ocean State Job Lot. I moved a wood stove with one that must have easily weighed 200 lbs (it was a Vermont Castings).

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

If your boat is near a place that stores powerboats on racks-- you could back your boat into their "takeout slip" and have them easily pull motor with their long forked lift.

 

[Bud22569]

Thank you all for the information. You have provided a lot of good information that I will use if I end up needing to pull the engine.

 

[Hermit Scott]

My engine weighs about the same. Another guy and I just picked it up and carried it up the companion way. I was too scared to use my spar, but I hear alot of people do it that way. I put the engine back in myself. It was much easier than taking it out. I bolted two 6' poles to the engine and used long boards and ropes to slide it back down into the boat. I didn't have anyone with me to help me put it back in.

 

[sailingdog]

If you're going to use your boom to lift the engine, make sure the attachment point for the lifting block and tackle has either the topping lift of mainsail halyard attached directly above it, so you don't bend the boom. Most booms are not sufficiently heavy extrusions to support that kind of weight without having the halyard or topping lift opposing it directly.

 

[ghost]

I've seen people use a mast crane to remove and install engines in their boats. They did it with the boat in the water.

 

[sailingandsuch]

Check this out Bud

I have a few links on my website that are probably just what you are looking for.

http://www.sailingandsuch.com/sailboat-projects.htm

Scroll down to Engines, the first link is probably the best. Its very thorough and has alot of pictures.

Hope it helps!

 

[bffatcat]

engine removal

a long time ago I removed an atomic 4 and replaced it with a volvo penta. The Volvo tipped the scales at 450 lbs. I used an oak 2x6 and a chain fall with a come along. Had no problems

 

[SamLust]

Boom As Crane: Not so good.

A boom is too costly and too difficult to find a replacement for to risk bending it for no good reason. Use the halyard for the lift. Pass it by the boom. Run a doubled line from the outer end of the boom, around the halyard and back to act as an outhaul. The mast and halyard take the weight as they were intended. The boom simply guides the load. I've done it. It works.

 

[Ross]

Much of this depends upon where the engine is located relative to the companion. Mine is almost directly under the hatch, so the crane cable can drop in and hook a shackle and lift straight up but other boats aren't born with such easy access and will require different techniques.