MTFCA Forum

Does anyone have a drawing, with dimensions, of a crate, to ship my Model T engine.

George

Complete engine or short block? There is one link that shows one built may give you some ideas. Note how the pan is supported
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You could also use some of these dimensions
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/11 ... 1279901294
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/147784.html
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Interesting

When you crate your engine it needs to be packed so if it’s dropped on either corner so it won’t collapse the crate. The pedals need to braced in some way. Always crate it for the worst. These days you can’t be sure what may happen. A heavy crated object has to handled fairly careful.

Make sure the motor is strapped to the crate on the inside and outside the crate and to the truck shipping it. I strapped everything real good, the shipper strapped it to the inside of the trailer but for some reason he unstrapped it and took off. The motor took flight and he told me he will replace all the broken parts but he got paid in advance so he never replaced anything.
Unfortunately the T motor is at a very high center of gravity and needs to be secured and padded all the way around for the safety zone between the crate and the motor.
Just my crazy experience. Frank

Wow and sorry about what happened to your engine! I hope you had it insured. I had a radio transmitter sent to me that weighed about 90 lbs. The shipper had it crated and shipped and when I got it I opened the crate and he had packed it with styrofoam peanuts. The radio had shifted back and forth when it was shipped and broke internally by the shifting!

I always pack my heavy objects myself and secure them inside a box or crate. Never trusted a professional (so called ) packing company again. I learned the hard way and always insured the item.

Make sure it is constructed with a heavy pallet on the bottom so it can be transported around the warehouse with a forklift. That is about the only way to move such a big and heavy crate and load it on the truck. Also, it should be screwed together instead of using nails. Nails will work their way loose while screws pretty much keep the crate together. Jim Patrick

It really is important to properly secure and protect any package.

A rebuilt short block was shipped from the left coast to me, here in The Shire.

Rips and tears in the plastic roused my suspicion.

The block was secured to a modest "pallet" of boards with another board taped to the top of the block. It was all wrapped in clear plastic with an outer layer of black plastic.


There was some rough or, at minimum, careless handling which resulted in a bit of regrettable and discouraging damage.
Do make a serious effort to pack your items for safe and secure shipping.

Wow! What a disaster. I’m so sorry to see that! I hope you insured it for a substantial amount. A good illustration as to why to use heavy 3/4” plywood top, bottom and sides and 2”x 4” supports and to insure your shipment. Jim Patrick