FJ Engine shipping?

[Steve_in_Florida]

Hey guys,
I'm in the process of purchasing an engine for a rolling chassis I acquired last year.

Originally, I wanted to do a road trip in a cage to pick it up (Virginia to Florida), but the time and $$$ factor makes this unrealistic right now.

The seller needs the engine moved SOON!

One of the guys that occasionally hangs out at the shop deals in antique bikes, so I asked him about shipping a bike engine. he said that his wife has an account with one of the major carriers (FedEx, UPS, i don't recall), and that it could be done relatively inexpensively, especially if being shipped to a business (the shop). Unfortunately, I think he's on a cruise right now, so I can't confirm this information.

I emailed Randy at RPM last night for his thoughts, but he's busy, and I haven't heard from him (yet).

Anyway, I'm trying to be proactive, and see what my options are.

Have any of you actually SHIPPED an FJ-1200 engine lump? How much did it weigh? What method did you use (strapped to a pallet, sealed in foam in a plastic tub, rolled up in bubble wrap)?

It's just too bad we can't send tangible objects through e-mail!

Steve

[movenon]

What is the weight ?  Under 100 lbs, greyhound will ship pretty cheap.  Put it in a storage container (Home Depot, Lowes etc, HD plastic container) ? Secure accordingly.  Drain all fluids... I just don't know what an FJ engine weighs. 
George

[red]

Hey guys,
I'm in the process of purchasing an engine for a rolling chassis I acquired last year. I asked him about shipping a bike engine.  Anyway, I'm trying to be proactive, and see what my options are.
Have any of you actually SHIPPED an FJ-1200 engine lump? How much did it weigh? What method did you use (strapped to a pallet, sealed in foam in a plastic tub, rolled up in bubble wrap)?
It's just too bad we can't send tangible objects through e-mail!
Steve

Steve,

I have not actually shipped a bike engine, but I have shipped a few things.  Truck shipping can be very affordable, especially if you ship terminal-to-terminal, instead of door-to-door.  Mount the engine on a small pallet.  You can then build a crate around it, if you wish, or just secure a tarp over it, if you are brave.  Leave provisions for a fork-lift, if possible.  Carry the unit to the starting terminal, and pick it up at the destination terminal.  Shipping rates for this service can vary wildly, so it is well worth shopping among the various truck carriers.  You can bet that UPS, Fedex, and similar door-to-door carriers will not even be competitive, in pricing.  Insurance is recommended, but most carriers provide some.  Depending on locations, pickup and delivery may not add a lot to the shipping charges, if you do not want to do terminal-to-terminal shipping.

Good luck,
Red

[racerrad8]

Just so it can be listed for the future.

The engine with starter & alternator and no other accessories weigh between 200-220 pounds depending on the weight of the pallet used.

Commercial freight is the only option of shipping engines.

Randy - RPM

[Bill_Rockoff]

Randy, do you have a preferred shipping company?  And do you have any data on what costs to ship a 220-lb engine/pallet assembly between, say, Atlanta and central California?  ("Oh, just curious, no real reason....")

[racerrad8]

Randy, do you have a preferred shipping company?  And do you have any data on what costs to ship a 220-lb engine/pallet assembly between, say, Atlanta and central California?  ("Oh, just curious, no real reason....")

I use www.frieghtquote.com as they seem to be able to offer the best pricing. If there is an option and time is not a major concern, ask for "stand by" shipping rate when you call.

Stand by refers to not reserving space in/on a trailer, but having it sitting on a dock for a few days to be a "fill in" item on a truck that is not fully loaded. The trucking company usually have already quote a high enough rate to cover the trip/expenses and "stand by/fill in" shipments are almost 100% profit for the trucking company so they rate is usually cheaper.

I have never had a shipment sit on a dock for more than a couple of days when using stand by.

Randy - RPM

[racerrad8]

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