Shipping a cylinder head

[MadMace]

Pictured is the head that I am going to ship to @FJ40Jim to be rebuilt. My Lord, this SOB is HEAVY.

I need to pack this for shipping. Any ideas, advice on packing the head would be much appreciated. As much as what to do, please also chime in on things to not do.

Second picture shows "3 1003"--born October 3rd, 1973.

 

[3_puppies]

when I ship a head, I'll cut a piece of plywood the size of the head OD, aprox 30" x 10" use 2 1/2" bolts to attach the head to the wood, then wrap the package in cardboard with either some Styrofoam or something similar to take up some of the air gaps.
shipping TX to OH about $70????

 

[4Cruisers]

I shipped one to California recently. I cut out a piece of 1/4" plywood underlayment for the bottom surface, and used a section of 2X4 with holes drilled partially through to accept the manifold studs and locating pins. Then I wrapped it in cardboard and taped it up well.

 

[FJ40Jim]

Double nut & remove all 4 rocker studs. they are just going to get bent.

 

[Downey]

No matter what you do, after the carrier runs over it with their fork lift, they'll claim it was not properly packaged. I once shipped a cylinder head to Germany, UPS quoted $250.00 postage, then after shipped UPS went directly into my PayPal account and grabbed another $1,000.00 (without my consent, which according to their contract is not needed) to cover the shortage in postage.

 

[Bear]

Jim,

Had a similar situation on an international shipment where I was receiving a new roof rack from the UK. After I received the item, UPS demanded an extra $1300 and said it was for their special "logistics" branch. Luckily back then I had used direct payment to the seller. But the rack and opened packaging had orange fluorescent stickers on it that indicated it had been x-rayed at a Homeland Security location.
The rack was made from hollow tubing, so I guess they were looking for drugs or contraband, and UPS ate the cost, and wanted me to reimburse them. Bottom line: UPS shipping quotes may not always be accurate.

 

[MadMace]

Thank you for the advice. I certainly will not be using UPS. Is there a carrier that ya'll have found favorable over the other? I usually ship FedEx.

Started packing it up. Had some of this extruded polystyrene left over from a recent home project, figured it would make great packing material. Cut the template before I read FJ40Jim's recommendation to remove the rocker studs. Those have now been double nutted and removed.

A few pictures below. My OCD served me well in cutting out the polystyrene template--need to cut 2 more. Hopefully in the mail Monday.

 

[tjhaga]

Why not just take a few extra steps and make a full wooded box?

 

[4Cruisers]

Why not just take a few extra steps and make a full wooded box?

That works well also, shipped one a few years ago that way.

 

[TCEd]

Wood box and bolt the head to a board within the box. I've shipped outboard motor powerheads this way and it's gorilla proof.

 

[MadMace]

Why not just take a few extra steps and make a full wooded box?

That is a great idea and what I am planning on doing.

What carrier is best for heavier items such as these?

 

[4Cruisers]

That is a great idea and what I am planning on doing.

What carrier is best for heavier items such as these?

UPS worked for me well, and not too expensive, for the two heads I shipped - YYMV.

 

[SteveH]

I wonder if those wood munition boxes sold at Army Surplus places could be made to work? Might want to obscure the lettering on the side of the box, however

 

[3_puppies]

some shipping companies won't ship a wood box,
you could make the box then wrap in cardboard.

plus paying by weight, all the wood will cost more

 

[1969FJ]

I use

Home Page

Leaders in Expedited Ground Transportation Leaders in Expedited Ground Transportation

www.forwardair.com

 

[4Cruisers]

I use

Home Page

Leaders in Expedited Ground Transportation Leaders in Expedited Ground Transportation

www.forwardair.com

I've used them quite a few times also, works well. Mainly larger items like palletized transmissions and transfer cases.

 

[TCEd]

I've used Fastenal and they do an excellent job. 3PL (Third Party Logistics) | Fastenal

 

[4Cruisers]

I've used Fastenal and they do an excellent job. 3PL (Third Party Logistics) | Fastenal

Same here, A440F transmission - they're heavy suckers.

 

[3_puppies]

I've used Fastenal and they do an excellent job. 3PL (Third Party Logistics) | Fastenal

Fastenal only ships store to store, so in remote areas it could be a drive, and some stores don't have forklifts for loading/unloading pallets.
I've shipped 2 engine in the last 4 months, but they went to large metro areas with stores close by

 

[Steamer]

I'm hoping this thread stays updated with shipping outcome, head rebuild details, etc. May have to do the same someday.