5.4 Engine Cradle / Engine Cart

[Number4]

Has anyone purchased an engine cart for a 5.4 engine that didn’t require any modification to use?

The reviews online for ones I’ve looked at, aren’t very encouraging.

I was hoping to get one under $100.

I’m needing it for a 2001 5.4 DOHC

 

[Number4]

This is the best deal I could find. $110.

https://sdparts.com/i-24110823-ford-performance-parts-m-6038-m-engine-shipping-cradle.html

Has good ratings unlike the Allstar one. Everyone else wants ~$140

 

[410Fortune]

couldn't you build one?
If not $110 seems pretty reasonable!

 

[Number4]

I’d thought about doing that. Fairly simple out of wood. Probably have enough 2x8’s scrap to do so. But after all said and done, time and material, figured I’d be close to the price of the cart anyway.

 

[boominXplorer]

What are you trying to accomplish? Shipping it or mobility around the garage?

 

[Number4]

Have to store it for an unknown period of time. Then, when it’s in use, I’ll need to store a 4.6.

 

[massacre]

Is the 5.4 a long block?
Aluminum block 4.6 engines are only around 500lb but iron block 5.4 is considerably heavier.
I’m a welder so I would just make one if it were me.
But not everyone has the equipment for that

 

[boominXplorer]

Cheap wooden dollies are perfect for this. Here's a 3.5 v6 and a few 4 cylinders on one. These are the smaller dollies for under $10 at HF. When I put a 5.4 on one the bigger one or 2 littles help.

 

[boominXplorer]

I'll try to remember to take a pic tomorrow but I've got a 5.4 dohc and attached 4r100 on 2 small dollies. Screaming but it works.

 

[massacre]

Those dollies work great for all types of things!
I have a bunch of them, use them all the time.
People like the cradles because it won’t tip over and you can work on the top end while it’s in the cradle.
But if it is just indefinite dead storage, The dollies is much easier cheaper option imho
Good call

 

[Number4]

Fully dressed Navi engine.

I have a fully dressed FI 460 on a cradle right now.



I feel better with the cradle, but I’m not swapping engines all the time. Lack of storage experience I guess.

 

[410Fortune]

Holy heck those little dollies! LOL I put all sorts of stuff on the HF furniture dollies, never occurred to me to do the engines!!
I am using engine stands, old tires, and some wonky wooden engine cradles we cobbled together.
Anytime I need to move an engine around we have to use the tractor or picker.... I am gonna try the dollies now! I have a few of them that are blank..... right now I have three 5.0 and three pushrod 4.0 all on some sort of stand pushed out of the way.

Thanks Boomin Im gonna try the furniture dollies now. One could even add some wood blocking to fit the oil pans/blocks a little better

 

[boominXplorer]

So I somewhat lied. My 5.4 dohc w/trans is on a pallet I can move with a pallet jack. The last picture is 2 small dollies with 2x8s spaced to go beside the oil pan on mod motors. It had a v10 on it but now has a 3v 5.4. I use these $7.99 dollies for everything.

 

[boominXplorer]

This does happen sometimes......

 

[Number4]

I’d think the weight on the oil pan wouldn’t be good.

 

[boominXplorer]

Not an issue, as long as you distribute the weight.