I will be storing a big block engine and transmission in my garage for a while, and I want to build a support dolly on wheels for it. I don't have the engine and trans yet to take measurements, and I would like to have the dolly built before I get it. I don't need it to bolt in, just to not wobble and fall off the dolly while I roll it around. Other than the wheels, I am hoping to build it with scrap lumber and some perforated steel angles that I have laying around in my garage.

I'm thinking about something that has three support points to correspond to the transmission cross member and the motor mounts. Does anyone have the dimensions of these three points? I need the following dimensions:

1. The horizontal spacing of the motor mounts.
2. The distance between the motor mounts and the transmission cross member.
3. The vertical offset between the transmission cross member and the motor mounts.

These dimensions can be approximate, and I can shim it up, but I would just like to put something strong below these points, as this is where the load will be taken.

Alternatively, I am open to suggestions to doing something else. I thought about going to Harbor Freight and buying three of those dollies that accept a tire, that you use to be able to roll your entire car around in the garage. One each under where the motor mounts attach and one under the transmission cross member support point. I would like to spend as little as possible, so since I know I would end up buying four of these to use under a car in the future, this is not as desirable as my home-built dolly.

Any other ideas?

I'm sorry if I am not directly answering your question but, I have to ask this, it sounds like you want to store the engine and tranny as one assembly. I have to ask why because it seems like you're making a ton of unescessary work for yourself that way.

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you're making a ton of unescessary work for yourself that way

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??? How do you figure that ???

Anyhow, many years ago I built something like this out of 2x4's and plywood. I built a "box" that the oil pan sat in and then attached 24" 2x4's across the front and back to mount casters and stabilize the unit. It didn't need to be any bigger than the engine since the engine weighs so much more than everything else.

I use a furniture dolly, the oil pan sits on the front 2x6, the trans pan the rear one.

I had this one sitting on a dolly with some 2x4's and 4x4's. It would just have to be a bit longer for the transmission.

Stan

I second the furniture dolly I have used them many times the are rated for 900 ls=bs (I think),and inexpensive. I bought mine from harbor freight for under $15. I used 2 of them when I rolled my complete front suspension,engine, and tranny back under the demon. ozz

Something like this?

http://www.carguygarage.com/singlexheavydutyh.html

I second or third the HF furniture dolly's. I've got two
engines sitting on thar type of dolly and it works fine.

The Harbor Freight furniture dolly sounds perfect. They are on sale for $10 each - I don't think I could buy four wheels at Home Depot that cheap! I can use some of my scrap lumber to shim the engine and trans up as required.

Thanks for giving me the benefit of all of your experience.

What does the Harbor Frieght furniture dolly look like?