What does a short block wiegh?

My "shop" is downstairs.
I am considering purchase of "Lump #2" to work on over the winter. I assume I will bring it "in" but it means 12 stairs in a decidedly steep configuration. Most of the work I do down there is on components. My fear is that if I build the engine I will never get it out of the cellar.
Final assembly would have to be in the yard in a day.

What does a short block weigh? two-man carryable or do I have to do the engine work in the yard?

My "garage" is a "lean-three," open air carriage house.

too many things can go wrong with all those stairs. just my opinion. your garage is better suited for the job. as long as you can run an air line out there.

Hi drake,
I have compressed air n both locaions. The cellar has heat.

does it get cold in massachussetts in the winter? if you can find a dolly that can go up the stairs that you can fasten it to then maybe. i would give up on the idea of two people lugging it up. all the weight's gonna be on one person anyway.

It probably weights 250 lbs at least. A fridge dolley from a rental would do it, if your basement stairs are large enough and there are not too many angles. I would consider the dolley that is usually sold at Sams Club. You will have it for ever with many uses and it will do the job. Just strap it in in well.

are you married? i rebuilt my mg engine winter before last smack dab in the middle of my kitchen. got a torn apart vw engine there right now waiting on some money for parts. sounds like you don't have a real good option. you gonna have to give a lot of thought on this one. myself? i would postpone the job til better weather, but then i'm real good at postponing things.

Hi Mike. If you haven't found an engine yet, I may have one from a 71 (see profile) you could pick up for little as I don't plan on keeping the 1800 if mine goes. It's still in the chassis, but that can be solved relatively quick.

something else to consider. for the engine's sake the work should be done where it is the cleanest and best lighting. you will be using solvents. safety is always a concern, especially indoors. any pilot lights around?

I just had a bare short block weighed for shipping. In the carton with thin plywood supports to keep it from shifting, top and bottom, weight was 140 #'s.

Get a 1x8 and slide it down//up ..

I did the same thing Michael. Strapped to a dolly it was no problem to ease it down the stairs step by step. So I could rebuild it last winter. Bringing it back up as a long block was a different matter, but going down was a snap.



Like Drake says though, go easy on the flammable stuff when you're down there.

Jeff PM sent.

Drake, yeah I am married... Wifey-poo gave me the MG for my birthday nov '08.
Bo pilots down there, fairly well lit and I am always working on something. Right now my snow blower is in pieces down there... that is first, gotta do that before snowfall.

145# empty.... that's a lot.
Long Block would be a hundred pounds or more on top of that.

Can I install the short block and tranny then add the head after install....

Maybe just do the head in the spring and install it in the drive before putting the lump back in.

Course with the lump out it is a good time to paint and wire...
oh, I see this getting expensive rather fast.

Well...
Thanks Jeff... I think we can work something out.

Thanks everybody, I was thinking maybe I'll take a night course at the tech school so I can get access to their machine shop for the winter.

I sent out some feelers today.