I'm swapping out my Miata engine with one from a wrecking yard. I have a typical autocross tire trailer with a "870lb capacity" Says so right there on the HF website. I can set up a secure-ish deck with custom blocks to support the engine. The wrecking yard is a dozen miles away and I can take the non-freeway route. I'm just smart enough to not use the thrifty HF orange cargo straps you see littering the sides of the highways. I'm planning on towing it with SWMBO's SUV...that I would rather not fill with engine fluids. I like idea of the trailer because it's engine-hoist friendly height.
Strap her down real tight. Jump on her a few times. Shake her around. Don't go fast.
My dad took a 351 Cleveland from SD to TN on one behind a Festiva and it rode great. Sure the brakes on the Festiva were only barely up to the task, but at least it wasn't bouncing around much.
That engine doesn't weigh even half the capacity, I'm pretty sure the whole Miata powertrain is under 870lbs. Make sure the tires are aired up and the bearings are good and go do it.
I drove around for a month with a complete, intake to pan, 22RE in the back of my 4Runner for over a month. You'll be fine.
Kenny_McCormic wrote:
That engine doesn't weigh even half the capacity, I'm pretty sure the whole Miata powertrain is under 870lbs. Make sure the tires are aired up and the bearings are good and go do it.
Just be careful they're not aired up too much. IIRC, the sidewall is something like 60 PSI. At that level and with the trailer under capacity, it might still bounce around like a basketball. Just keep an eye on it.
-Rob
