[HO455]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

I second the hydraulic hoist. For 2-and-a-half hundred bucks, you have a steel unit that will last a long time, not warp, then rot. And how much would that wood gantry set you back in lumber anyway?
Now a steel gantry with I-beam uprights would be the ultimate deal, but, we're into thousands if you don't have access to scrap steel and big welding skills.

I was lucky enough to find the "K-piece" base to a 2-ton engine hoist outside the dumpster of an auto parts store that was renovating [after a roof collapse]. I assumed they didn't want it anymore, so I liberated it. My buddy had mad welding skills. I bought all necessary steel extrusions, casters, hydraulic cylinder and other stuff, and we rocked it out.
I may have shelled out more that I could have gotten a new one out-the-door retail, but the project was fun.

Where did you get that hoist? That isn't your run of the mill HF cherry picker. I've been looking for a nice tall one like that to pull the engine out of my 52. It will save me from having to pull the front clip off and set the axle on the ground.