Let this be a lesson for you...

[RD]

LIFE LESSON, DO NOT RECREATE THE WHEEL, JUST LEARN FROM MY EXPERIENCE:

I just got done pulling the 440/727 out of the 71 New Yorker.  I still had it on the engine hoist with a chain holding the engine/trans with two bolts screwed in diagonally on each head.  The engine/trans was about 3 feet off of the ground so that I could have access to the converter bolts.

Out of nowhere, and I mean that literally and figuratively, I hear a huge POP! and I instantly react (amazingly fast I may add) and pull myself back and away from the engine, and boom another POP! and BOOM was the sound of the engine trans hitting the concrete while the chain rattled on the engine hoist hook.

Both bolts sheared from the weight.  They were grade 5 bolts.  not hardened, not strong enough.  The only thing that allowed me to type this to you tonight is that the bolt opposite to where I was sheared first and allowed me enough time to pull away from the engine just as the other sheared in two.

My head was right next to and underneath the driver's side exhaust manifold and I barely missed having a huge contusion, concussion or most likely being dead as the old exhaust pipe (freshly cut so I can remove the engine) was pretty dang sharp.  If that opposite bolt didnt go first, I am pretty sure I would be dead right now.

SO ON THAT NOTE, MAKE SURE YOU ALL USE GRADE 8 BOLTS OR HIGHER WHEN FASTENING  YOUR LIFT CHAIN TO YOUR ENGINE HOIST.  YOUR LIFE WILL DEPEND ON IT.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

on a side note, I thought I was doing a very good job on safety today using my jack stands at all times, using two floor jacks to ensure stability, taking my time when lifting, and using a two person lift method.  My stupidity of using these bolts ruined my day's safety record.

[adauto]

Good safety tip for sure!

[Dans 68]

If possible use more bolts...there cannot be a factor safety large enough when you are under a suspended load.    Glad to hear it missed you.  

Dan

[MoparManJim]

I'm just glad he is okay! but that just shows you that at times the smallest detail can at times grab you or really make you think.

[moparguy01]

Damn dude I'm glad your ok. I think that's why I like the load leveler the best. They attach at 4 points.

[jaak]

Glad your oK! I will be sure to use grade 8 from now on!

Jason

[mikepmcs]

All that P90X stuff..i'm pretty sure you would have just damaged the motor if it fell on you, but thanks from the rest of us immortals.  I know i'll be using grade 8 for sure and plenty of them.  Message received. 

[RD]

i was seriously shaken up by the whole ordeal.. my wife was outside and saw the whole thing.  i just sat there in my chair and shook for a bit.  really thought about the repercussions.  needless to say, i found some hardened bolts right away and jumped right back on the saddle and continued.  much to my wife's chagrin i may add.

[RD]

All that P90X stuff..i'm pretty sure you would have just damaged the motor if it fell on you, but thanks from the rest of us immortals.  I know i'll be using grade 8 for sure and plenty of them.  Message received. 

yes, that engine didnt know what in the hell was going to happen to it!!! lol i would say it would have got hurt, but i had a pocket full of kryptonite on me, so my super strength would have failed me

[68X426]

So glad that you are still amongst us to tell the tale.

[MoparManJim]

All that P90X stuff..i'm pretty sure you would have just damaged the motor if it fell on you, but thanks from the rest of us immortals.  I know i'll be using grade 8 for sure and plenty of them.  Message received.  

yes, that engine didnt know what in the hell was going to happen to it!!! lol i would say it would have got hurt, but i had a pocket full of kryptonite on me, so my super strength would have failed me

 hey, if you had a pocket full of kryptonite, you should have been down already.. remember at the sightess of kryptonite superman goes down. Hey wait a minute ,what color kryptonite did your pocket full of?!  

Serous though dude, I'm glad to hear that you didn't hurt, maybe your nerves did alittle but that is part of learning though.  

[Todd Wilson]

SO now you got a junk 440..................



Todd

[bull]

My brother tells me it's overkill to use what I use but I have about two feet of 5/16" high test grade 70 chain, grade 8 bolts and grade 8 flat washers and I'm still nervous. I just don't like seeing the big $4k boat anchor hanging by a chain two feet over a concrete floor. I also use grade 8 stuff on the engine stand.

[tan top]

   crikey RD you was lucky  !!!!! glad your ok


  thanks for the tip , going to check the tool box now & check the 2 designated  bolts i use !!  pretty sure they are from an ARP bolt fastener kit 

much damage to the motor , ??

[moparstuart]

SO now you got a junk 440..................



Todd

[b5blue]

I'm glad your fast!  (and your lucky you didn't fill your pants with craptonite) 

[TruckDriver]

It's good your okay Jamey.

[Mike DC]

  
Yeah, glad you're okay.  That sounds spooky.    


 

[71ChallengeHer]

Scary stuff , indeed. Glad your ok 

[RD]

thank you all for your comments.  i have thought about my reaction time to be honest, and have declared it was not me.  someone, not of this world, watched over me last night and pulled me from harm.  that is the only way i can explain it.  i could never move that fast by myself.  it was so instantaneous and surreal.  right after it all happened, i just sat there thinking how in the heck did I just get out of that?  How did I move so fast?

the answers are not because of me and any super powers (as I jested earlier), but rather of THE superpower that protects all of us, all the time.  All you have to do is believe.

(thanks goes to Eric for reminding me to give thanks so everyone who was blind can now see)

SO now you got a junk 440..................



Todd

pass side exhaust pipe got dented, oil pan dented, that is about it.  still a good 440!  you cant kill mopar! they make the energizer bunny look like freshly sauteed bunny and a timex stop tickin'.

[tricky lugnuts]

Good advice about the grade 8 bolts. Safety should be precaution number one when working on our Chargers.

Glad to hear you and the engine are OK coming out of this, aside from some dents to it and some HOLY SHIT feelings for you.

Sounds like you both had a near death experience!

[NHCharger]

(and your lucky you didn't fill your pants with craptonite) 

Wow. Glad your OK.

[TUFCAT]

As I get older...I'm even more worried about this exact same turn of events. Dude, I'm glad you're okay.