Motor fell upside down onto garage floor...

[kev]

During my move to another house I brought my motor over to the new place. I planned on resting it inside of one tire, but since I saw that I had two tires I decided to stack the two and place the motor on top of that. Big mistake. After about five minutes I heard a crash... looked back and saw my motor upside down on the garage floor. The top tire had slid off of the bottom tire. Live and learn. I didn't have the carb on it yet, but some other things got crushed.

So what should I be concerned about at this point? What internal things do I need to check before proceeding any further with eventually starting it?

 

[Tempest 455]

I had one fall from way up once when pulling it on a drive that was sloped. It was just fine. As long as there is no visible external damage (cracked block, pan etc,) I would not be too worried. Keep in mind internal forces such as a heavy crank spinning at high RPM are considerable and the block was designed for significant stress.

If you did not crack, smash or break anything, falling from a tire, I would not worry.

 

[Seax440Dodge]

I wouldn't worry much if it just rolled off a 2 tire stack, just make sure if you had like the oil pressure sending unit and water pump pipe fittings on it that they're not bent/snapped

 

[Meep-Meep]

If it fell on the valve cover hard and dented it, check the rocker shaft towers. Otherwise probably dust it off and run it.

About 30 yrs ago I watched a buddy's dad topple a 390 Ford hanging high from an engine crane. He started yanking on the crane to move it and we were becoming very concerned when it started swinging to the point of being unstable. At that point we ran for it and shortly after I stood back watched that FE hit the garage floor from about 6 feet up. If it was a Chevy it probably would have broke in three pieces.

 

[SwedCharger67]

I messed up...

This happened to me...lesson learned...never have all 4 wheels the swiveling type...see the blue transport platform down there...

Nothing more happened than a few scratches and some dirt on the valve covers...the grass died from the oil spill...ccasion14:

 

[kev]

Ok thanks

 

[Garys1969RR]

The motor I dropped landed on the oil pan. So it absorbed the force of the landing and became disfigured. The rest of the motor was ok. It was high up on a hoist at the time, and got off balance. DANGER ! Now as soon as I clear the radiator support, or if moving the hoist around, I immediately lower the motor to 2 " above the ground. Makes a much more stable arrangement. And if it does tip, it don't have far to fall! Lol

- - - Updated - - -

The valve covers and distributor should be repaired/replaced if damaged. If the valve covers didn't contact the rocker arms, your prob ok there.

 

[Kern Dog]

Funny topic. I wonder how many others have the guts to admit these mistakes!
In 2001 I bought a 1972 Newport with what I thought was a 440 & 727. I was using a borrowed homemade engine hoist. Just as I had cleared the core support, the ram on the lift bent, allowing the engine and trans to slam to the concrete. The oil pan was crushed and the bellhousing on the trans cracked! I had hoped to rebuild both. The engine turned out to be a 400, so I sold it for $300. I paid $175 for the whole car!

 

[62 Dart Convertible]

Funny topic. I wonder how many others have the guts to admit these mistakes!

Been there!!

Engine fell off dodgy engine stand - impaled sump, crushed windage tray, broke 2 exh. man. studs, bent one exhaust valve and cracked the guide - apart from that, NO damage :angryfire:

 

[daredevil]

a pic would make it easier to say.

 

[Inspector71]

I was going to write and apologize for knocking over your motor. My kids say I'm a jinx when it comes to that sort of thing and I have the ability to knock over stuff evern when I'm in another room. My wife swears its true too. I no longer cut any corners or takes chances. I've been there and done that. Your garage floor probably took a beating. I have a 360 on an engine stand, a stripped 383 block standing on one end...with a 727 on top of it, and a 318 and engine on blocks on the floor. Across the garage, I have a car on jack stands. Now I'm scared.

 

[Cranky]

Can't remember ever turning one over on the floor but dumped one off a trailer once but that was on purpose? Man, that was cool looking watching that thing tumble at 50 mph!

 

[markrr]

10 years ago my brand new everything 440 fell out of the back of my pick up onto grass and landed on one of the valve covers. I pounded the dent out of the cover and it's been running ever since. Scared the crap out of me though.

 

[kb67mopar]

I managed to put a 360 through the back window of my Dakota while I was unloading it from the bed. Didn't have an engine hoist so I was using a come along and a large tree branch. As I was pulling the truck out from under the engine it turned and the fan touched the bed. I stopped to get out and spin the engine to clear. As I got out of the truck it started rolling backwards (must have hit R instead of P) and before I could get to the brake pedal the block came through the back window and was stopped by the seat. The back of the cab had to be replaced.

 

[440+6]

I rolled a cracked 383 block off the back of my pickup down a huge hill at a landfill, talk about fun...