Advice on crating a dmax

[RENODMAX]

As the title says I need advice on crating a duramax motor and shipping it. I am helping a friend with two of his motors and have never crated something so big so I figured Id ask you guys if theres anything special I need to do. Also if you have any pictures thatd be cool. I seem to remember some pics of Submans motors getting crated but I couldnt find them.

Thanks all

Jordan

 

[Josh2002cc]

Best thing is to build or find a pallet that is exactly the same size as the engine. Do not make the crate any bigger than need be, most likely you will pay for it in shipping costs. Also, fully enclose the crate with cardboard or wood. Doing so will help lower the nmfc number which equals a lower shipping fee. When setting up the shipment use the exact measurments of the engine, do not guess or round up as that will cost you as well. As for the weight, good luck on that because I always guess high(around 1000lbs) as the shipping company can really mess with your charges if they have to re-weigh it.

 

[RENODMAX]

Best thing is to build or find a pallet that is exactly the same size as the engine. Do not make the crate any bigger than need be, most likely you will pay for it in shipping costs. Also, fully enclose the crate with cardboard or wood. Doing so will help lower the nmfc number which equals a lower shipping fee. When setting up the shipment use the exact measurments of the engine, do not guess or round up as that will cost you as well. As for the weight, good luck on that because I always guess high(around 1000lbs) as the shipping company can really mess with your charges if they have to re-weigh it.

The buyers have all arranged shipping for these motors. I just want to make sure they get there safely. So just chock the front so it level and build wood supports that go to the motor mounts then build a crate around it? The motors are already on pallets.

 

[Vrabel]

I know Jasper ships (On their own trucks though) on oak pallets with bell-housing bolts bolted through pallet with front pointing up. obviously shimmed up to clear crank.

 

[Righteyeblind]

When I used to send off Gixxer motors they would be on a pallet and screw 2x4's around it then strap it with tie downs, then put plywood all the way around it. Of course they were a lot lighter.

 

[RENODMAX]

I think ill chock the front then bolt wood to the motor mounts and bell housing holes then strap it down

 

[TheBac]

I would call some of our resident engine builders and ask them what they do. I know Tony has shipped engines, so has Guy and Merchant. They would know what works and what doesnt. You could also call a late-model junkyard and ask them, too.

Oak pallet
bolt engine to pallet and support front securely
plywood box surround with 2x2 or 2x4 framework screwed together...no nails

 

[RENODMAX]

I would call some of our resident engine builders and ask them what they do. I know Tony has shipped engines, so has Guy and Merchant. They would know what works and what doesnt. You could also call a late-model junkyard and ask them, too.

Oak pallet
bolt engine to pallet and support front securely
plywood box surround with 2x2 or 2x4 framework screwed together...no nails

Yeah I figure ill just go about it like any other. Time to go get some lumber. This isnt even my sale Im just helping a friend of mine get his shop cleared out but I just want to make sure whoever receives the engine gets it in good shape. I guess Im just OCD about things.

 

[TheBac]

Reno, youd be surprised how much thoughtfulness like that really is appreciated. It goes a long way.

 

[S Phinney]

I had a pallet with wood blocking for the front balancer area and motor mounts and flat metal brackets that bolts to the block and bell housing. That was how GM did it.

 

[JoshH]

We have shipped a few motors out to SoCal from work. Here's how we do it, a cradle made out of 2x2 angle iron that has legs that run up at a 45 degree angle from the cradle to the motor mounts with another piece welded in a T position on one side. The motor mounts are bolted to the angle iron frame and the angle iron is screwed down to the pallet. Then at the front of the motor a 2x4 that is long enough to go from the pallet to the block is bolted to the block into the ground bolt holes and the bottom is screwed to the pallet. At the back on either side of the flywheel another 2x4 is bolted into the bellhousing bolt hole and screwed to the pallet. It is then covered by a crate constructed out of plywood and 1x4s. I'll see if I can get a couple of pics tomorrow to give you an idea what I'm talking about.

 

[JD Dave]

The motor I bought came from Mo on a steel cradle that has 4 legs that bolted to the back where the tranny bolts to and to the sides on the front of the engine. Rick Lance apparently made the crade. The cradle was then bolted to the skid and a 2x4 frame was made around the motor and then covered with plywood. Josh's way seems like a really good way also.

 

[RENODMAX]

Im going to go up there today to help crate the motor. Im hoping that hell want to go buy a sheet of plywood if he doesnt have one so we can enclose it. I called the guy who bought it and asked if he wanted it done any certain way or if his shipping company had any specific stuff they needed done and he said that they didnt and he just wanted it strapped down good. Ill come up with the best I can with whatever materials they have up at the shop.

 

[Righteyeblind]

Do you have that LB7 for sale still Jordan?

 

[RENODMAX]

No that's the one being crated. Sorry man. I'll keep an eye out for you

 

[RPM Motorsports]

I shipped Ryan (Aggar) a complete LBZ from Ca.-back east for $500. It went on a pallet with support under the front of the pan. framed in square (size of pallet) around the block with 2x4, and 1/8" ply wood as a wall/cover. I held it in place by using 2x4's across the front/rear of the heads, and boxed the turbo in as well with 2x4's.