Diesel Engine - what's the height?

[Simon Jones]

Slightly strange question: what's the height from top of rocker cover to bottom of the sump, or the cross-member? I need to transport an engine in the back of my car & I've got approx 3 feet of height available.

I don't expect anyone to rush out & measure it : it's just if anyone knew or has a spare engine in the garage they could have a look at for me. Thanks in advance.

[Dolly1]

Hi Simon,
Why not lay the engine down on its side.Just a thought

[Simon Jones]

Not a bad idea Dolly. It's got all its ancillary bits like turbo & alternator attached, so it may have to sit an angle. Just read on the engine replacement factsheet that when removing from under the van, that you need approx 700mm clearance, so that plus the the height of engine crane jib should just about fit.

Next question - what sort of weight might it be? There's no gearbox, so I'm guessing about 150Kg.

[Simon Jones]

By the way - nothing wrong with my current engine , I've bought one for dismantling: partly for curiousity & partly for a supply of spares like the alternator, turbo, starter motor etc

[missfixit70]

Glad to hear it Had me worried then.

[scanner]

Unless you have some very strong way of holding it upright, it will soon be on it's side anyway, I can tell you that from bitter experience.

You will also need to put down a good strong base to sit it on - the usual sheet of low grade hardboard you usually find in the back of a car will never recover if you don't.
And if it hasn't been well drained of all fluids make sure that is covered by a really good sheet of thick plastic. To be safe you should also make sure it is well tied down (twice as well as you think it needs) - if you need to stop in a hurry, you do not want a complete engine joining you in the front of the car.

If I ever transport an engine again it will be in a trailer, unless it has been completely steam cleaned.

[daveblueozzie]

Slightly strange question: what's the height from top of rocker cover to bottom of the sump, or the cross-member? I need to transport an engine in the back of my car & I've got approx 3 feet of height available.

I don't expect anyone to rush out & measure it : it's just if anyone knew or has a spare engine in the garage they could have a look at for me. Thanks in advance.

Why dont you ask the bloke you bought it from to measure it.

[Bob]

Why not ask for a Bongo Relay?

[Simon Jones]

Thanks for all the replies. I've had a quick measure of my engine in-situ & it seems to be approx 30" high, wide & long to the torque convertor. Logically, sticking it in the trailer is simplest answer, but then it would be a 300 mile round trip using my fuel, rather than using the company car which (until end of Feb) I've got free fuel for . I've made up a thick ply-lined floor for the boot, which is fixed to 6 mounting points in the car. This ply also has steel mounting points bolted thru 2" thick timber, so I'm reasonably happy that once its all lashed down it wont be going anywhere it shouldn't.

[technophobe]

Only just logged on Simon. Only question I would ask is to do with the weight in the boot and whether you have front or rear wheel drive. Wouldn't like minimum traction on the front wheels

[paulnlol]

Hi Simon,
If it helps we're coming down to Shepton Mallet this weekend,not in the Bongo but in my Movano van.If your engine is coming from up this neck of the woods we could chuck it in the back no problem.

[Simon Jones]

Hi Simon,
If it helps we're coming down to Shepton Mallet this weekend,not in the Bongo but in my Movano van.If your engine is coming from up this neck of the woods we could chuck it in the back no problem.

Cheers Paul - thats a kind offer. Plan 'A' is to visit the garage in Bude tomorrow & if we can get it in safely, then I will. If it looks a bit tricky, then I'll return next week with the trailer on the Bongo. Bit of a bummer really, 'cos I could have squeezed it in the van after Looe, but we would have been a bit tight for space with all the camping gear. Maybe see you at Shepton Mallet - we'll probably pop in to see Bob & Lynne for a cuppa to warm us up

[Simon Jones]

Glad to report it is now safely back at home. Fitted in the back of the car quite easily & the car drove absolutely fine without hitting the bump-stops. With the engine mount still in place & the flat bottom of sump it sits perfectly flat & didn't move an inch. I've still got to get it out the car, but I've got access to an engine crane, so it should just be a case of reversing the process used to put it in. Not going to get round to stripping it down for a while, but it will make a handy door-stop in the meantime

[Bob]

Nice glass top and Hey Presto, a coffee table. The family will be delighted to have it in the living room.

[missfixit70]

You could connect it up to run various household appliances too, seemed to work ok on top gear with the V8