Anyone have any experience shipping an engine?

[NOPANTS-68]

I need some advice/ direction about shipping an engine. I have the LS6 for sale in the section below and have had a couple guys inquire about shipping it. I have never shipped anything that heavy before. I assume it needs to go onto a pallet and crated but have no idea who to use and what types of things to avoid. Any advice would help. Thanks dudes. Dave

[Pro Stock]

I need some advice/ direction about shipping an engine. I have the LS6 for sale in the section below and have had a couple guys inquire about shipping it. I have never shipped anything that heavy before. I assume it needs to go onto a pallet and crated but have no idea who to use and what types of things to avoid. Any advice would help. Thanks dudes. Dave

Dave,

Start with a inexpensive engine cradle, and find a smaller size pallet.
buy five 2"x2"x8ft lengths of lumber for framing and two 3/8 sheets of plywood for the enclosure. Start by putting a piece of cardboard on top of the pallet and then bolt the cradle and engine to the pallet, the cardboard is there to seal the bottom of the enclosure and to catch of fluids that drip from the engine, put a large plastic bag over the engine to protect it from dirt. Build a frame around the engine with the 2x2s by attatching them to the pallet with 3" drywall screws. Figure out the size that your box will need to be and cut your plywood to those dimensions, use the rest of your 2x2s to build a frame for attatching your panels toyou will probably need to use 1" drywall screws fo assemble the box. Buy yourself a #2 phillips bit for using in a drill motor, it will go together faster and easier that way. I know that this seems like a lot of work but it's not as hard as it sounds, if you have any scrap lumber you can improvise and save yourself some money.There are several shipping companys that will take your engine, start with Fed Ex and shop price with other freight companys also, if you don't have a way to pick the engine up ask them if they have trucks with lift gates and pallet jacks. If you still have any questions you can PM or email me and I'll be glad to help you. I've shipped a lot of engine and this is the best way unless you want to spend the money for a manufactured plastic shipping crate.

Dale

P.S. Drain all fluids out of the engine and tape a note to it saying ADD OIL.

[NOPANTS-68]

awesome- that's a huge help. Thanks Dale.

[Nine Ball]

Also, look at shipping it "terminal to terminal". Doorstep delivery costs a lot more. You basically drop it off at a freight terminal nearby, and have it delivered to a terminal for the receiver to go pick up himself.

Engine doesn't have to be completely crated, just a "rollcage" of 2x4 wood around it works fine. I've also used wood to make the engine mount/pedestals before.

Tony

[4mul8ion]

Just to add pictures to the words, I bought an engine from Butler Performance in TN and had it shipped to OR for about $600 via UPS freight with residential delivery a year ago. Weight on the bill of lading was 565 lbs and it took about a week to get here from there once shipped. They attached the engine to a wooden crate via an engine stand, wrapped it in plastic, built a wooden cage around it and shrink wrapped it. Worked just fine, no damage at all. See the attached pics.

I'm not sure if it applies to you in CA or where the seller is but if they're back east, you'll have to time shipment with one of their transcontinental runs. IIRC, last year UPS freight makes a westbound run once or maybe twice a month to the PNW depending on the condition of the mountain passes and demand. California may be different. It may be something to keep your buyer aware of.

Kevin

[Motorcitydak]

You can always put it up on uship.com too. Its kind of like an ebay for shipping things. You put up what you have that needs to be moved, where it is now and where it needs to be then shippers will submit bids to do the work. Places with a loading dock help a lot. Some storage places have helpful features like that

[Brandon Miller]

I shipped an engine once from TN to NJ. I mounted it to a pallet and shrink wrapped it to death. I got a shipping quote on it for the buyer so he would have an idea on the price. It was then shipped freight collect to him. Arrived just fine.

[Pro Stock]

Also, look at shipping it "terminal to terminal". Doorstep delivery costs a lot more. You basically drop it off at a freight terminal nearby, and have it delivered to a terminal for the receiver to go pick up himself.

Engine doesn't have to be completely crated, just a "rollcage" of 2x4 wood around it works fine. I've also used wood to make the engine mount/pedestals before.

Tony

The only reason that I recommended boxing it is because it keeps away prying eyes, I ship a lot of high performance engines and have friends that have had them stolen right off of the loading dock, you wouldn't believe the lack of security at most shipping companies. One other thing that I forgot to mention was insurance, make sure that you insure any package that you send for the actual value of the item shipped, shipping companies tend to look for a lost item if it is insured for a decent amount of money. Try R&L Carriers, they handle a lot of motorsports shipping and are competitive on their pricing.

Good luck, Dale

[Pro Stock]

email sent

Dale

[NOPANTS-68]

all outstanding suggestions. Thanks again for the help all. I now know exactly what to do.

Dale got your email- let me see if I can sell it first and I might take you up on that. Dave