How to package an engine for shipment - Ducati.ms

jsmorris · Nov 10th, 2007, 10:08 pm

I recently sold my 748 engine and was offered money to ship. I decided to create a box for shipping an engine and it consisted of the following details.

Laundry List:
1- 3'x3' skid
2- 4'x8'x1/2" OSB sheets
2- 2"x4"x8' boards
1- 2"x3"x8' board
1- 2"x8"x24" board
2-1/2" nails

I started by cutting out a piece of OSB the same size as the skid fpr the floor of the box. Then I used a 24" piece of 2x3 and nailed that on edge to the OSB about 4" from the edge of the OSB floor. Then 14" farther from the same edge of the OSB I nailed the 24" piece of 2x8 on it's edge. Directly next to the 2x8 I nailed another 24" piece of 2x3 to support the 2x8. I then nailed the OSB floor to the skid.

Next, I stood the zkid on it's side and attached 4- 30" pieces of 2x4 on the corners as shown. I set the skid back down and cut OSB boards for the front and back, measuring from the outside edges of the 2x4 uprights and leaving the OSB about 1/2" below the top of the 2x4 uprights. I nailed these sheets to the front and back on the outside.

Then I cut OSB sheets to fit on the inside of the ends, once again keeping the height 1/2" below the tops of the 2x4 uprights and nailed them in.

Set the engine down into the crate with the front cylinder sitting on the 2x8. You can position it far enough forward to have a snug fit. Then use 2- 2x3 pieces, one at the rear of the upright cylinder and one on top of the front cylinder to pin the engine in tight. Nail these boards through the front and rear OSB sheets.

Lastly, I cut another piece of OSB to fit inside the 2x4 uprights from side to side, and with enough depth to sit over both the front and rear OSB sheets. Nail the lid down by angling nails into the 2x4s on the corners. I will also add 2 metal bands at the shipper just to be safe.

Total weight is right around 225lb.

jsmorris · Nov 10th, 2007, 10:11 pm

More pics:

Dark_Daddy · Nov 10th, 2007, 10:41 pm

thats pretty damn cool! Thanks for the post!

Dunlop · Nov 17th, 2007, 2:12 pm

I had Ben Fox at Fox performance engines in CO send me my 996 engine in a very similar box. Great job again I think mine was around 250 lbs.

polyesterpig · Nov 19th, 2007, 1:41 pm

Did it arrive safely? That is the true test. Shippping a pinball machine, now thats a treat!

jsmorris · Nov 19th, 2007, 3:18 pm

Hopefully the new owner will chime in here with a response. I'm kinda curious myself to see what kind of condition the crate is in after a trip in a truck. Seems like trucks are always surrounded with potholes and stop'n'go traffic.

neuroduc · Dec 22nd, 2007, 9:59 pm

Hi Joel, Sorry I just realized you had asked for a response. The engine arrived as described. The crate held up just fine, no damage at all. The shipping company freight yard man was able to place it, with an extended fork lift, into the back of my SUV with an inch to spare on each side. Opening the crate was like Christmas. I cannot wait to put my new race bike together. A really cold Wisconsin garage means I will have to wait till spring. I should have taken pictures of the crate and engine before I took it all apart, but really it looked just like the before shipping pictures. Thanks again Joel for all the care in delivering my new baby. Happy holidays to all. Brad