I feel pretty stupid, suggestions?

[Johndecarlo]

Been assembling this 2110 for my 71 Westfalia, been doing everything on this makeshift table sorta deal, but now as I get ready to start putting all the ignition/ charging/ carbs/ etc stuff on, I thought oh wait, how am I going to get this on the ground to install once it's finished? Hoping someone has some bright ideas that my sleep deprived brain isn't thinking of. I'm pretty industrious so I'm confident I can make it happen, the last time I had the engine out I was parked on the street in front of my friends apartment with some wood blocks and a small floor jack with only a few hours to get it back in again before street sweeping, but I'm hoping for a less stressful go of things today. I have that same small floor jack and a scissor jack to work with. It's just me right now so no "get a friend and pick it up" and I'm not to sure about trying to lift it on my own, I have about 3 months of rent sunk into this thing,( not mention I'm 2 months behind) so I can't afford to replace anything I risk breaking trying to pick it up solo. I must be over thinking this, but what do?[/img]

[KentABQ]

I'm not sure having a friend would be enough to pick it up. It's going to take a cherry picker or maybe a heavy duty hoist securely strapped to the rafters in the garage.

Another option that I learned from WilliamM is to slide it onto a "Jenga"-like stack of 2x4's, and slowly lower it by lifting up one side and pulling out a 2x4 and repeat until it's down.

And no reason to feel stupid. Been there, done that... ...but I had it on the ground and couldn't figure how to get it up to an engine stand.

BTW... where in CA are you? Maybe a Samba buddy can help out. Add your city to your signature line for future assistance.
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-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[Abscate]

Go into the street and get two strangers to help you pick it up and put it down.

You’ve got 40,000,000 people in your state, use them

If you are the Omega man, then build a ramp out of plywood and slide it off the desk by lowering the wood deck on one side in steps.
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.ssS!

[busdaddy]

2 resonably healthy people can move a full dressed type 1 easily (unless they sit on the couch all day, then it might kill them). Can't you conscript a buddy?, or buy that homeless guy down the road a coffee and donut for his help?
Alternately you can slide it down a knot free 2X6 or ladder onto a skateboard or milk crate, levers, ramps and rollers is how they built the pyramids, think like an ancient Egyptian
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[babysnakes]

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[Johndecarlo]

[SGKent]

2 people can lift a fully dressed one. A strong fellow can lift the shortblock if you take the flywheel off. I doubt if you can even torque the gland nut on the flywheel on the table it is on without toppling the whole thing. I usually have to put a big block of wood under one of the heads and then torque the gland nut. Some of us have to stand on the wrench to get to 253 ft lbs.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Wasted youth]

[Mispeld]

Hang a come-along from the ceiling? A buddy lifted the front of his Harley to change the tire by hanging two ratchet straps from the ceiling.

Or jack the bus up really really high.
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Tom
1977 Westy. 2.0 Fuel Injected.

[andrewtf]

I had to get my engine from on top of a box like that to the engine stand by myself as well.

I went and bought a cheap ($30) chain hoist from Harbor Freight. I used 2 really large eye hooks, screwed them into a beam in my garage ceiling - about 6" apart. Then I put a large bolt (3/4") thru the eyes with a nut on the end so it could not slip out. I attached the chain hoist to the bolt and off we went. The entire rig was less than $40.

I used that same rig to pull, work on, and re-install the engine in both my bus and my daughter's bus . Works like a charm.

Just be careful how you strap the engine to the hoist - so you don't bungle up anything you don't want to. I used regular hold down straps strategically placed to avoid fragile bits and still balance the engine fairly well. And be very careful what you attach the hoist to. I'm an architect and designed my own house, so I knew where the hefty beam was that would easily support the weight. I would not dream to bolt this thing to a single truss member or ceiling joist. I will not professionally recommend it, but barring all other options, you probably have a large header over the garage door that would support the weight, but without seeing your exact situation, I can't say whether that is a good idea or not.

good luck
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'75 Riviera - 'BIG EMMA' (Pan American highway trip paused for a make over)
'77 Riviera - Murphy' (being reborn.... slowly)
'63 Austin Healey

[airschooled]

What part of LA? I'm driving through around 11pm next Friday.

For torquing the gland nut without a torque-meister, install the mustache bar and place the right side end under a structural area on the bus, and use the weight of the bus to counter your body weight on the breaker bar.

Exhaust can be installed once the engine is in the car, so don't do that yet if you're looking to save weight.

Robbie
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[Tram]

Best $169 I ever spent:

Just ask D/A/N and neena.
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Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.

[airschooled]

[timvw7476]

Come-A-Long from HF, 1500#.
Purple Lift Sling,also HF.
Done for under $40 ish. Be sure to use high strength bolts at the case.
This is way better than risking a drop from three feet.
You also need a furniture mover dolly as well if you have no trolley jack.

[cmonSTART]

[Tram]

[CarlosZ]

I live in the valley. I’ll help you.

[tommu]

I'd be happy to help too - well I would if I wasn't overseas for the next couple of weeks..
You'd be surprised who would help if you ask - but I totally understand not wanting to rely on the good will of strangers.
And I have that hydraulic table too and it's a life saver - and I don't use it 24/7
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[danfromsyr]

1st world problems
in a 3rd world country it'd be a non-issue and cost a couple beers.
go down to home depot and rent a couple of the guys from the parking lot.
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[scrivyscriv]