Shipping an Engine Case

[Trophy]

Any tips on the best way to ship an engine case?

I have removed the head studs and will remove the transmission studs. Anything else I should be doing? What is the best method for packaging?

TIA

[MBruns]

Big enough cardboard box, surround with layers of cardboard to fill all the space on all sides, or the blue building foam insulation cut to fit, and remove as many studs as possible, you will end up at around 80 #
Mike Bruns

[Trophy]

Thanks Mike,

I am thinking that I should remove all the protruding studs, don't want some rough handling to break a stud or worse break the case.....

[MBruns]

The smaller studs usually just poke the layers of cardboard and no harm, but the longer ones are a problem
Mike Bruns

[Phrog]

Remove all the head studs and case will fit in a U-Haul Dish Barrel (Double thickness) box very well. Use adequate amount of bubble wrap and filler "peanuts" as well.

U-Haul: Moving supplies: Dish Barrel Box

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by Phrog

Remove all the head studs and case will fit in a U-Haul Dish Barrel (Double thickness) box very well. Use adequate amount of bubble wrap and filler "peanuts" as well.

As the recipient of many engine cases for modifications, I'd strongly disagree about using those packing "peanuts".

Two reasons:

1) They are horribly unstable and allow the contents of a box to shift; OK for VERY light stuff, but NFG for any engine parts. You would never believe the damage I've seen from poorly packed components over the past 30+ years. Remember, shipping companies will never pay damage claims from improperly packed and sealed boxes.

2) Terribly messy as they float everywhere all over the floor when unpacking a box. Its not a good idea to anger the person doing your work from having to spend time chasing them all down to put back in the box.

My best advice is to call your shop and ask them how they want things packed. This works both ways to ensure your parts arrive in good condition and survive the return trip, undamaged.

[Phrog]

OK Steve, instead of being so negative, how about a better suggestion, I'm open to whatever you suggest. The amount of energy put forth with your reply I'm sure you have a better option. Please note the "peanuts" were only to fill voids.
Thanks

[0396]

"Please note the "peanuts" were only to fill voids.'

If it were me,I too would not use 'peanuts'as filler.. to my knowledge, peanuts are to be use for 'light' weight items.
Other wise, one might be on the losing end with freight claims.
One can only suggest- like taking horse to water..if the horse does not drink, it will not survive.,
Or put it this way,there's one born every day.

[KTL]

Not trying to pile on the peanuts hate, but I have to agree. I have saved those things over the years and put them in garbage bags in my basement stockpile of shipping materials. I just can't find a good use for them- I have two large black trash bags full. They're messy and don't protect well.

Only time i'd use them is if you bag them up (double bag) to create a peanut pillow. Putting them into a box loose doesn't do much to protect stuff.

I would pack a case in a box that is double boxed or single box with a liner of thin wood. You want to avoid punch-thru for sure, since there are many surfaces of the case you don't want damaged. Best to snugly bolt the case together to minimize the number of exposed surfaces and studs.

I personally would only ship FedEx. UPS is notoriously bad in my experience when it comes to damaging boxes. I get so many mangled boxes from UPS and I just don't understand it. FedEx boxes are usually unharmed, but I do on occasion get one that is a bit beat up.

A box with cut-in hand holes goes a long way toward making your box easier to handle and less prone to being "chucked" by the handler. This is especially important when we're talking about large, heavy boxes.

Overpack to the point of absurdity. This is one place you don't want to skimp. Use any packing material you can think of to protect your precious case. Wads of heavy paper (forget newspaper- it ain't much better than peanuts), styrofoam, foam padding (like a foam pillow), old bath towels, multiple layers of bubble wrap, roll bar padding, those annoying air packs that are often used nowadays

[tom1394racing]

I have shipped dozens of these.

I remove all the head studs and the studs at the front and back of the case. I cover the case with a heavy duty contractor bag and then wrap it completely in old carpet remnants. I then pack it in a custom, home made, double layer cardboard box.

[Trophy]

Thanks for all the great ideas, I have found a suitable box and have some 1" thick corrogated cardboard packing and dense foam insulation. All studs will be remover (Front, rear and head) and the case wrapped in contractor garbage bag prior to placing in box.

Once all packaged up I will post some pics. (No packing peanuts will be used or harmed in this procedure )

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by Phrog

OK Steve, instead of being so negative, how about a better suggestion, I'm open to whatever you suggest. The amount of energy put forth with your reply I'm sure you have a better option. Please note the "peanuts" were only to fill voids.
Thanks

Hi Kevin,

I wasn't trying to be negative (as anyone who knows me will attest), I was just trying to offer the benefit of some long-term experience so your experiences do not disappoint you.

That's precisely why I recommended having a conversation with your service provider about this. Opinions vary widely on this subject and most engine shops can tell you how they want to receive your components.