On Wed, 01 Nov 2006 22:16:01 -0500, Paul Wiggins
wrote:

I need to build a contraption to remove two large, old, heavy engines.
(1968 CC 427's).

The boat is on stands and there's no way I know of to get a boom up,
over and inside the wheelhouse.

So... I'm considering building tripods on either side of the
wheelhouse... running a metal I beam thru the windows over the
engines... lifting... placing them a wooden bed... sliding the engine
back to the rear... where a small crane can lift out.

The question I have is.. what to build the tripods out of... 4x4's our
of sistered 2x4's? Something beefier...

I recall reading somewhere they weight in at 1700lbs.

many thanks.


w4 X 13 beam will easily take the load of one 1800 lb engine if
the beam is supported at 8 ft centers.
A tripod at each end made of three 2 by 4s will have sufficient
compression strength BUT if the legs are long they could collapse
in bending.

Brian Whatcott Altus OK