Engine removal without chopping a hole in the cabin roof?

[carlton]

...I've often had half a mind to replace this hard section with a soft top or polycarbonate clear roof section...

Looks like the opportunity has just arrived - two birds, one stone!

 

[MYStargazer]

One problem you may find is that if you are going to use a chain block to lift the engines prior to sliding them out on greasy planks is that you may not have enough clearance between the top of the wheelhouse and the engine sump by the time you allow for chains or straps round the engine plus a means of securing the block to the scaffolding poles.

My 1 ton chain block from the top hook to the highest point the chain will lift to is approx 16” To this you would need to add another 6” to allow for securing and then you will have the bend in the scaffolding pole. When I lifted out my puny little Ford 1.6D engine which weighs about 220kg, the ropes I used to wrap round the engine stretched up about 6” when I took the load on the chain block.

I know this is not perhaps the best solution but I would look at cutting a small hole in the wheelhouse roof (say 9” square) such that you could get access to put your lifting tackle thorough. This would also let you use some substantial timber beams running between the fwd and stern cabin tops to take the load of the chain block.

I would also look at taking the head off as this would reduce both the weight and engine height.

I do not think that one scafolding pole with take 400 ks when supported at two points with a 120" span. Take a look at this site and work out the deflection for a tube.

http://www.calculatoredge.com/civil engg calculator/beam.htm#tube

Good luck and watch your toes. !!!!!!!

Just ran the calculation and defection will give you a nice "U" shaped piece of scaffolding. Not a safe system of work.

Thanks - the use of a pole or even poles looks like a no-no.

Taking the head off is a good idea, though.

 

[MYStargazer]

Looks like the opportunity has just arrived - two birds, one stone!

Yes - will be concerned about waterproofing until the new engines are built (and possibly security, too - but I suppose I could glass back-on and/or sikaflex back-on the roof section temporarily in the interim...

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

My hard patch is in exactly the same place, so, yes, it must have been glassed over. How interesting - I just thought the hole had been cut at some point in lieu of engine removal via the door. I've often had half a mind to replace this hard section with a soft top or polycarbonate clear roof section...

You've answered your own question: turn the problem into an opportunity, cut a big hole in the roof, safely extract your engines using plant, and rework the roof as desired. Best of luck.

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[kashurst]

if you use a router to cut the roof out you could make a real feature out of it. just screw some thin strips of wood to the roof to act as guides for the router. Probably wouldn't take you half an hour.

 

[zapcat]

I'm planning on using a hi-ab on a truck to lift my engines out - if you could get a lorry close the hiab arm would probably go right through the doorway and would certainly take the weight

 

[MYStargazer]

I'm planning on using a hi-ab on a truck to lift my engines out - if you could get a lorry close the hiab arm would probably go right through the doorway and would certainly take the weight

Thanks, yes - had thought about this, but the arm would probably not reach in given the access...

 

[Jim@sea]

The back actor of a JCB without a bucket on would do the job. Especially if it was one which extended. In the right hands a JCB back actor would extend through the open doorway, a chain to the block, simple lift. Thats what I would try having had a JCB for 20 years.
And if you are worried that a scaffold pole will not take the weight, why not have 2 poles and have them welded together.PS. Why are you taking the engines out.

 

[lynall]

Im guessing they are the inline six cylinder same as the old ford d series engines? if so i would say they probably weigh more than 400kg.
Im sure there was a post on here recently and there was a company who specialise in these engines maybe worth asking them for the actual weight?


Lynall

 

[Latestarter1]

Im guessing they are the inline six cylinder same as the old ford d series engines? if so i would say they probably weigh more than 400kg.
Im sure there was a post on here recently and there was a company who specialise in these engines maybe worth asking them for the actual weight?


Lynall

Ford Dorsets coming out circa 600 Kg engines going in 500 Kg, both weights bobtail.

In order to keep roof access hatches to a minimal size cut access hatches to clearance size for motors bobtail, lift engines into cockpit, slide scaffolding planks underneath and separate boxes whilst in the cockpit, keeps size of opening to a minimum.

I used to use combination of chain hoist and a Hiab.

 

[volvopaul]

I did a nelson type boat through the side door but it was with a jcb that can angle the arm when the motors through the door.

I'd be playing safe and cutting the roof out, you could even make the roof slide back, or make a dedicated panel like a broom boat should the need arise again in the future, that way the motors can go back in fully built.

 

[MYStargazer]

Ford Dorsets coming out circa 600 Kg engines going in 500 Kg, both weights bobtail.

In order to keep roof access hatches to a minimal size cut access hatches to clearance size for motors bobtail, lift engines into cockpit, slide scaffolding planks underneath and separate boxes whilst in the cockpit, keeps size of opening to a minimum.

I used to use combination of chain hoist and a Hiab.

Thanks, Paul

As luck would have it, there's a large hole in the roof anyway. It turns out (thanks to David [epervier]) that some (possibly most) Weymouths had a soft section in the roof as standard (I'm thinking these must have been akin to a sliding fabric roof panel on a old car). Mine may have had one originally, but it was glassed in (quite crudely underneath the otherwise pointless deck paint on the roof). I just need to reopen this, and reseal later. Need to replace the headlining anyway as I detest 1970's cream vinyl and the vile strip lights have got to go.

There may be room to remove the gearboxes first...

 

[Bobobolinsky]

Thanks, Paul

As luck would have it, there's a large hole in the roof anyway. It turns out (thanks to David [epervier]) that some (possibly most) Weymouths had a soft section in the roof as standard (I'm thinking these must have been akin to a sliding fabric roof panel on a old car). Mine may have had one originally, but it was glassed in (quite crudely underneath the otherwise pointless deck paint on the roof). I just need to reopen this, and reseal later. Need to replace the headlining anyway as I detest 1970's cream vinyl and the vile strip lights have got to go.

There may be room to remove the gearboxes first...

Good call, if these engines were to get away, they wouldn't stop till they hit the floor.

 

[fisherman]

Roof off, GRP is so easy to make good. What are you doing with the engines? When I had a recon in 1998 Dorset and Dover blocks to refit were gold dust. Still a good engine to rebuild.

 

[MYStargazer]

Roof off, GRP is so easy to make good. What are you doing with the engines? When I had a recon in 1998 Dorset and Dover blocks to refit were gold dust. Still a good engine to rebuild.

Thanks - this definitely looks like easiest option.

Selling them! They would both need to be rebuilt, but there may still be some enthusiasts out there who might give them a good home...

 

[fisherman]

Selling them! They would both need to be rebuilt, but there may still be some enthusiasts out there who might give them a good home...

Bombproof engine, I was lucky to get a recon Dover via Mermaid, they said they could not find blocks to recon anywhere. Make sure you get a good price.

 

[burgundyben]

Thanks - this definitely looks like easiest option.

Selling them! They would both need to be rebuilt, but there may still be some enthusiasts out there who might give them a good home...

Defo the roof off method.

Scarron and I lifted my engines back in, similar weight, with a chain hoist on an A frame, we had to roll the A frame along the boat with the engines 12ft up in the air. I don't mind telling you I was ****ting myself!

Chum of mine managed to sell a pair of 6D's so you'll have no issue selling Dorset's, they'll end up running an irrigation pump in Africa.

What you putting back in?

 

[fisherman]

Please PM me before selling them cheap, I know someone who needs a Ford 6. If you have a buyer the easiest way might be to get a hi-ab lorry to lift them out and deliver them.

 

[MYStargazer]

Defo the roof off method.

Scarron and I lifted my engines back in, similar weight, with a chain hoist on an A frame, we had to roll the A frame along the boat with the engines 12ft up in the air. I don't mind telling you I was ****ting myself!

Chum of mine managed to sell a pair of 6D's so you'll have no issue selling Dorset's, they'll end up running an irrigation pump in Africa.

What you putting back in?

The crane on the brand new travel lift looks like cracking bit of kit, so should help avoid brown-trousers moments!

Any idea where he advertised them to shift the 6Ds?

A pair of Cummins 5.9 6BT will be going back in. Stunning performance as I experienced last Sunday going for a blast in a repowered Fairey Huntress. Smaller, lighter, far more responsive and virtually no smoke either. My boat deserves better than a pair of smokey old Dorsets!

 

[Floatingpreferably]

Hi there, yes I sold a pair of running 6D'd and have a good contact for unwanted working engines. My 50 year old ones are now powering fishing boats off Mombasa, who knows how long for, but bet they will rot away before they wear out!