I haven't used the HF engine hoist but I've used some of their other hydraulic stuff and it's all been pretty good.

 

The valves and springs are good. There's no marks on the piston besides where the piston made contact with the head.
I looked again and it's a 1 ton hoist. Has a max lift of 94". Is that enough to get it out of the bay? I have the leveling keys and larger tires. Sits about 1" higher than stock. I can remove the front tires and lower the truck if I have too

 

Just ordered the engine hoist and load leveler from hft. Got it half off with coupons. Well see how it works.

 

I've used the harbor freight cherry picker before, it does fine. Not sure what the longevity of it would be, but for as little use as it would see for you, I think it would be just fine

 

If nothing else, decrank your bars and let the air out of the front tires. It'll be easier to work on anyway

 

the hoist finally came in. The packaged was almost destroyed and Im missing several pieces. since the ups guy left it in the middle of my driveway while I wasn't home I count refuse the package. main thing Im missing is the two caster wheels that go on the front legs. so its going to be another week or so until I can get the engine out.

 

did you get the 1T or 2T? All my research on this said that the 1T did not have the reach to get the engine out of a truck. Check that before you get too far along.

I got the 2T from Harbor Freight and its great. Very reliable and does everything right.

Good luck with the swap.

 

I use the 1ton unit...on my lifted truck had to take the wheels off and put the LCA on some 4x4s to clear the legs of the hoist and get it low enough. Have to take off the bumper and front clip for it to reach back far enough, but ive made it work 5 or 6 times now

 

HFT no longer carries the 2T. Just 2 different versions of the 1T. Still waiti g on the reply from HFT