Lifting a 440 from underneath??

[Highbanked Hauler]

 We all know headers are a PIA to install. Has anyone lifted a 440 with headers bolted onto it from underneath ? With the  K  frame attached it appears the header tubes are  "inside" of the K frame bolt holes.

[funknut]

I built a cradle from 2x4 and 2x6 lumber that supported the block from the oil pan rails. I used it to swap the K-frame.  I did not have to disconnect or even loosen headers to do it. I have hooker long tubes and there was only one spot I had to clearance my cradle to clear a header tube.

I'm out of town now but when I get back I can take some pics if you're interested.

[alfaitalia]

I too, would be interested to see.

[68pplcharger]

I've done it by supporting the motor by the oil pan. My oil pan is strong enough to lift my house though I wouldn't try it with a stock oil pan. I actually just support the K-member with 2x4's and the motor with a floor jack. Then drop the body onto the motor using my two post lift. probably not what you were thinking I'm sure. I also only install the Drivers header. The passengers header installs easily after the motor is in the car.

[Highbanked Hauler]

I've done it by supporting the motor by the oil pan. My oil pan is strong enough to lift my house though I wouldn't try it with a stock oil pan. I actually just support the K-member with 2x4's and the motor with a floor jack. Then drop the body onto the motor using my two post lift. probably not what you were thinking I'm sure. I also only install the Drivers header. The passengers header installs easily after the motor is in the car.

     Pretty much,  with the car on stands I can roll the motor under it then with the engine hoist pick it up into place with the help of a floor jack. I made a heavy duty furniture dolly for the motor and trans and have test fit the Hooker headers to it so I figured since its on the K frame lift the whole thing into place,headers steering box and all in place in one shot. I just wondered if the headers bolted in place will clear the frame rails on the way up.

[Dino]

No headers but it would have been the same process. I build a 2x4 cradle with some 4" wheels (I think). I made it so the top of the K member attaching arms was at the same height as the bottoms of the frame rails when the car was level. The trans bellhousing rests on an extra piece of 2x4 screwed to the cradle. Towels were just there to prevent my fresh paint from being scratched.

I'll never pull an engine out the top again!

[Dino]

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[Highbanked Hauler]

 Looks good Dino, Thats exactly how I did  my sons  74 Challenger.  I am going to shelve my numbers engine and trans and put my "spare" engine and trans in since I am nor going to build a stocker out of my 68..   I am pretty sure I can do it with the headers attached.

[Draco]

 I can't find my pictures, but I had the 440 complete TTI headers mounted, steering box, and transmission in place and lifted that bitch right up in place no problem. I used a trans jack for motor and trans with the body on stands lifted body with motor hoist. 1st time I did it that way won't be the last.

[68pplcharger]

I've done it by supporting the motor by the oil pan. My oil pan is strong enough to lift my house though I wouldn't try it with a stock oil pan. I actually just support the K-member with 2x4's and the motor with a floor jack. Then drop the body onto the motor using my two post lift. probably not what you were thinking I'm sure. I also only install the Drivers header. The passengers header installs easily after the motor is in the car.

     Pretty much,  with the car on stands I can roll the motor under it then with the engine hoist pick it up into place with the help of a floor jack. I made a heavy duty furniture dolly for the motor and trans and have test fit the Hooker headers to it so I figured since its on the K frame lift the whole thing into place,headers steering box and all in place in one shot. I just wondered if the headers bolted in place will clear the frame rails on the way up.

Yeah the first time I put the motor in I did it with both headers installed. They will clear the frame rails. I have Hooker comp headers and there was no problem.

[Mike DC]

  
Man, Dino . . a BB motor + K-frame + steering box + tranny.  You sure must have built that dolly thing right.   


I've got an all-iron 440 alone sitting on a wooden Harbor Freight dolly.  It's thinner wood but I fastened several extra 2x4s onto it before I put the motor on top.  It's still sagging.  

[Dino]

Yeah those HF dollies are good for light stuff so bracing it is a must for anything heavy-ish.

The frame of the dolly I made is hardwood, I think I used left over maple. I used plain old 2x4 pine on top of that where the K member and trans rest. I added those just to have the whole unit level and stable. I think I used smaller pieces on the front edge to help stabilize the K member. The wheels are pretty heavy duty. I'm not sure if they're 4 or 5" but I made sure they could carry a hefty load. The whole thing rolls real nice as well. It had to because my garage floor is cracked all over and I didn't want to get stuck. Everything worked out great.

I used primo screws to assemble it. Spared no expense!   

[Highbanked Hauler]

I've done it by supporting the motor by the oil pan. My oil pan is strong enough to lift my house though I wouldn't try it with a stock oil pan. I actually just support the K-member with 2x4's and the motor with a floor jack. Then drop the body onto the motor using my two post lift. probably not what you were thinking I'm sure. I also only install the Drivers header. The passengers header installs easily after the motor is in the car.

     Pretty much,  with the car on stands I can roll the motor under it then with the engine hoist pick it up into place with the help of a floor jack. I made a heavy duty furniture dolly for the motor and trans and have test fit the Hooker headers to it so I figured since its on the K frame lift the whole thing into place,headers steering box and all in place in one shot. I just wondered if the headers bolted in place will clear the frame rails on the way up.

   Thats what I have also so thats good to know.

Yeah the first time I put the motor in I did it with both headers installed. They will clear the frame rails. I have Hooker comp headers and there was no problem.

[garner7555]

I lowered my car onto my 440.   It has TTI headers.  It was really easy.   I put the engine and transmission on dollies so that I could roll them around to make fine adjustments as needed.     

[birdsandbees]

How I built mine... simple roller board and then added silent beams at a height that worked nice on my hoist to raise / lower the car off / on the assembly. Doesn't roll worth a damn.. but I can move it by myself with effort.

[funknut]

My cradle is really simple as I didn't need it to do anything except support the motor while I swapped K-frames.  The Milodon oil pan didn't seem sturdy enough to support everything I needed, so I built the below to rest on the oil pan rails.  In the first 2 pics you can see a notch I had to cut out to make room for one of the primary tubes.