(sorry about pic size) I have a come along with a pully along the cable, See image below. Lift it like the one on the right, not the left, for the added mechanical advantage.
We've had two valuable threads in JUNE concerning EXTREME safety issues: This one and an only slightly earlier one titled simply, "A word about jack- stands." Both of these threads have had better, serious input on them and at least somewhat fewer know-it-alls dissing posters and generally playing off safety. Anybody (honestly, especially newbies who haven't done it before) who wants some serious advice and knowledge on SAFTEY subjects, well, I'd recommend the jackstand thread, too. HAMBers NEVER totally agree on anything (unless about hating post-'65 r--rod material). BUT, if anybody reads either thread carefully, there's sufficient info to make a safe decision for yourself . . . . and maybe save your life or that of a friend.
This probably won't help you with this project, but might come in handy for the future... We get stellar deals on actual engine hoists, getting them for around $25-$30 dollars each. We wait until the young kids are done with college for the summer and then go and visit the technical schools with automotive programs. They (at least in the Madison, WI area) will sell the hoists and engine stands that they used that year pretty cheaply (they must want the incoming students in the fall to feel good about the class so they provide new equipment). I would check with your local schools and see if any of them do the same thing. Hope this helps!! -Brad
last year I drove up to BFE to get a v8-60 and a bunch of parts. The guy said "oh yeah, there's an engine hoist there, my brother will help you out..." Well me and my 2 kids show up (8/9 at the time) and the brother shows me the stuff at the end of a long container, and says oh yeah here's a come-along... It was the chintziest piece of shit cable come-along I've ever seen, hadn't been used in years and was all froze up, little broken wires at various spots to poke your hands. Awesome. At the shop we have dozens of chain hoists, big and small, engine hoists etc. as well as an A-frame and everything a weakling like me needs to move heavy stuff. Anyway it was jammed so I coated it with engine oil and got the cables freed up. The guy ended up leaving a short time later as he knew it was the hottest part of the day! It was ridiculous but it worked. The come-along would only lift about a foot before it jammed up. Besides that I had it SKETCHILY hooked on to the door latch on an E350 Ford Van, not really what it was made for! Hey I was desperate and hot! (out in the desert somewhere in Moreno Valley) I'd lift it up enough to get some wood underneath, reposition and repeat. The best is when it got stuck on the tow hitch receiver. It did start working better and better, or I just figured out how to use it without getting my fingers caught. I was so worn out though, (went to get an engine and picked up basically the whole running gear and then some) that I ended up using it for the rearend too. I've got to hand it to FORD, that little door latch loop held up. It did bend a little bit but never gave up the ghost. I think they engineer trucks/vans for fools like me! TP
NO CHINESE TOOLS! unless they are rated 3x or 4x more than the job at hand. Most are just stage props made to look like tools. ( zibo - I bet your kids learned some valuable lessons about determination)
If its a good comealong it will work.If its the cheap ones I wouldnt reccomend it for pulling motors ,Ive used and pulled motors and trans using a quality comealong Caddy 500 motor and trans ans also pontiac from rafters with a nylon strap and driveshaft.Never an issue...........
Don't even think it! Buy or find a hoist for rent. They come in really handy for lifting heavy duty sewing machines, and recently, my 98 Silverado truck bed up to replace fuel pump. Come alongs are limited to pulling something out of a ditch or thereabouts. Years ago the hoists were expensive, now you can get one for $150
+1 on CM. One hand operation and fingers out of the way when changing direction. Used and abused them at work for years but could never get by the initial price of a new one for home until I scored a good used 1 1/2 tonner off Craigslist couple - three years ago. Never put a cheater pipe on the handle, when it won't pull it's at capacity, you will only snap the handle [my experience from the abused part ]. Used my 40 something year old USA cable job for years for pulling stuff in all manner of shakey hook ups and survived but it's well worn and I don't trust it for critical work anymore, big reason why I grabbed the CM when it came up. Even with the best of rigging, never put yourself or any part of your body in a position of danger if something should let go, somethng WILL happen eventually. Allways have an escape route in mind, goes for welding or using a torch as well. I inherited a couple of offshore cheapos and I have got by by with them when I have needed a little tension in a different direction than the main pull. I would never waste money to buy one. On one the bolts that hold it together let go and it fell apart first time I used it, hasn't been too bad for what I've used it for after I replaced them with better quality. The cable comes off the drum on the other one real easy when at the outer limits, should have at least a turn and better a turn and a half on the drum minimum on any cable hoist anyway. Even with good equipment, prior planning and working safely is essential if you plan on enjoying life for awhile longer. Ed
I would do it, as i have many times before. I now have a huge engine hoist but have in the past used my GOOD comealong to lift engines, trans etc. Last week i used the same comealong to square up a small barn we were saving and I broke a nylon tow strap by cranking on it the comealong! I'd trust my old GOOD comealong more than a $30 engine hoist.....
I bought a $5.00 comealong from Sands Salvage. We pulled a slant six from a Duster using a tree, circa 1987. I think they work.
GUILTY. I acquired a free flatty a few weeks ago, thinking the guy had a hoist... he didn't, and he was stupified when I brought it up. A hundred miles from home I refused to turn back. My friend had a ladder and he borrowed another from his neighbor, we picked up a few 2X6's and a comealong ("rated" for the job). It was not safe by any means but it got the job done. The flatty is in my possesion unharmed but the comealong is wasted.
Sorry, this picture wasnt focused on the chain fall but iv used this rig MANY times.. Still have all the fingers, toes and oil pans too!
Horror stories. I have one. I would have to search a long time for the actual pictures. we thought the Come along was the greatest tool ever invented in the 70's. much easier that the Chain Falls that we used in the 50-60's (I still have my heavy assed chain fall) I was doing an engine swap between a 63 Buick 364 nail head with dynaflow attached. and a 48 Buick Roadmaster 320 straight eight with dynaflow attached. I pulled the nailhead out of the 63 and put the engine and trans on a cart rolled the both out pulled the 48 in we had a exposed beam that was 2 2x8's. never had a problem with many swaps. a chain around the beams and a come along attached. went to pull the straight eight and the beam started to bow from the weight. a trip to the lumber company (way before Home Depot) and wedged two 4x4's to support the beam. tried to crank the 1/4 ton rated come along. it wouldn't move. in my infinate wisdom I added a 4 foot pipe over the come along handle and stood way back. got the bitch out but strands of the cable kept popping. it was probably over maxed. (ya think?) pushed the 48 out and took the trunk lid off the 63 that was going to be scrapped put the 320 and trans in the trunk of the 63. I do have pictures. we couldn't move the 63 the frame was on the ground. will it work sure! is it safe? could be if it's not made off shore
Four friends, a large pipe, and a case of beer will do it. Chain the motor to the pipe, each guy lifts their share, and you slide the wooden dolly out and stick the metal one under it. It's been done more than once this way.
at 18 yrs old a boy that i went to school with lost both legs when his come a long snapped and the engine fell on him when he was standing in the engine compartment. smashed his legs and hips.he was by himself and they do not know how long he was in there.when they found him it took them almost 2 hrs to get him out.he committed suicide at 21.ive used them when that was all i had but that wasnt very often,i still cant get that pic of him in his bed with no legs.i was 17 when that happened im 56 now.but lifting no more than you have to id do it. but watch my fingers and toes.im still terrified of them.i also have seen those china cherry pickers blow. those cylinders they use are CHEAP.i know because i have one.i have replaced the o rings in it a few times already and ive only had it about 6 yrs.but it has lifted around 100 engines and trans.but atleast im out of the way if it fails. but id hate to have to fix a car when the engine slams down on it.every tool is designed with a intended purpose.use it for that and that only and you can live with all your fingers and toes and legs.some people can get away with alot some cant.im usually the one who cant.
scary as hell but ive done engine swaps with one several times just make sure your a frame is beefy and dont get your feet anywhere near the drop zone.
I only have 80% use of my right hand because of one that failed under load, and it was an American made one, back in the 80's. Please, just don't.
^Word. Amen Brother! I have used them for things that I shouldn't and some how dodged that bullet. My advice would be the safest thing that I can tell you... There is no tool like the right tool. I love tools and even if you don't use them that often, when you need them, there is nothing like the right tool for the right job!
Some good info here but the original post is dated 06-29-2011. Hopefully the OP is still alive and out cruising. FWIW, my cable come-along is American made, rated at 4500 lbs and has pulled a lot of engines. I do have & use a cherry picker now (also American made) to pull engines with
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