Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 686 Threads: 112
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Yesterday, 07:12 PM
(This post was last modified: Today, 12:13 AM by Erich.)
Hi All,
I'm about the reinstall the engine and gear box in my Ulster Rep. The engine is without the dynamo, exhaust and other bits. It does have a Riccardo alloy head. The gearbox is a three speed. The head has 14mm plugs. I'm wondering if I can use a hoist and attach the hoist to the two centre plug holes with 14mm ring bolts or if this would compromise the head...break the bolts out of the head. I'm hopeful I can do this with the gear box attached. Any advice is much appreciated.
Erich in Mukilteo
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 925 Threads: 22
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Location: Near Cambridge, UK
Car type: 1928 tourer (mag type), short chassis Gould Ulster
With the alloy head I wouldn't take a chance on lifting by two 14mm plug threads. I would put a rope round both ends of the assembly, and put a jack with a block of wood under the sump if you are in danger of trapping the rope. Just my opinion for what it's worth.
Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,104 Threads: 110
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Location: Llandrindod Wells
Car type: 29 Special, 30 RK, 28 C Cab
Hi Erich
I have a two plug hoist for engines with Austin heads. With Ricardo heads I use belts around the engine, partly as I’m not sure about the pull out forces on the plug threads but also because the plugs are off centre and you wouldn’t get a clean lift.
Cheers
Howard
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 3,388 Threads: 105
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Location: Darkest Bedfordshire
Personally I'd have put the engine in the car before adding the head, dynamo etc - it's less weight to handle, and fewer things which might foul. Given that you've got thus far, I can understand you might not want to remove them.
I second Robert's thoughts - run a loop of nylon rope through the front engine mount holes (then it can't slip), up to your block and tackle, and then loop under the gearbox. It helps if you are able to adjust the tilt fore-and-aft as you lower into the car (go in gearbox-down, and level off as it slips under the bulkhead).
You may have to tip the engine slightly to extract the rope but you should not find this difficult.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 1,532 Threads: 60
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I wouldn’t have a problem using the two plug approach as long as the bolts fitted well and fully. I doubt that the static load of an engine on the plug is much compared to 130psi at 5,000 rpm banging away
I have two plugs with the tops cut off and a steel bar welded in with a hook on the top. The advantage of using truncated plugs is that you can bolt them fully and firmly in.
