I had to pick up a 312 here a year or so back and as I usually work on motorcycles the thought of moving a 500 pound engine was a little daunting.

At work I utilize a crane truck to set up projects and demobilize. A crane truck is a flattop truck with a hyab crane which will pick up 3-6 tonne depending on the truck and crane installed.  If you have one of these guys operating in your area it is quick and easy.

I could not use a crane truck as where I live has carports and limited access to my garage area. So beyond the lifting range of one of these trucks. I checked with local hire companies and found a ute, which I could drive, and it had a crane with enough capacity and swivel.

I picked up the ute drove 20km to the trucking company which transported the engine and unloaded at home and returned the ute to the hire company in less than 4 hours. I didn't even break a sweat. 

You could mess around with tripods and chain blocks but this was quick and easy.

cheers

Warren

I think it would be really hard to get an engine in and out of the back of a Bronco since there is a roof over the top. I think at a minimum you could use the Bronco to tow a small flatbed trailer and put the motor on that or borrow a pickup. When you get the engine home how do you plan to unload it? Sooner or later you will have to either rent or buy an engine hoist and to work on the engine you will have to mount it on an engine stand. I have a 5x8 utility trailer with a ramp that I have used in the past for transporting complete engines on an engine dolly (with casters) which works pretty well. I also use my pickup for transporting bare blocks, but you need the engine hoist to get the block out of the truck. So, good luck and happy wrenching!

Rono

     I'm with Ron, the Bronco seems like a no go. U-haul rents small flat bed trailers pretty cheep.  If you buy a hoist, consider the ones that fold up, takes up less room in the garage and can be handy for a number of uses, ( lifting transmissions, rear ends, even bodys), I even used t to move a milling machine and lathe.  I have used furniture dollys to set engines on to roll them around the garage. You can make a 2X6 rectangle to fit the outside edge of the oil pan to set the engine on to transport it in a truck or trailer. Make sure to STRAP IT DOWN! You don't want 500 pounds rolling around if you have to stop suddenly

It will be no picknic.

Ultimately you are going to need an engine hoist.A cheapie break down/collapsable style from Harbor Freight will get you started or borrow one.

Your going to need some upper area  clearance for the boom arm of the hoist to allow the engine to initially rest on the tailgate.Make sure the hoist chain is as short as possible to do the job.

Take some smooth plywood to cover your tailgate and the rear cargo area where the engine will ride.Put a cheapo tarp down over the plywood as you know its a dirty greasy item.

 Once you hoist the engine onto the tailgate-two guys should be able to push and slide the engine on the plywood and into the cargo area for the trip.

Do the reverse once you get it home.A hoist is absolutly necessary.Look on Craigslist for a cheapo used.

Oldmics

You asked about engine stands so for what its worth. I think you should only consider an engine stand with four wheels not the cheaper three wheel version. The Yblock engine will weigh closer to 600 lbs and when attached to the stand is unstable. You will need to rotate the engine on the stand to disassemble and then rebuild so do not try to save on this item. Engines are bulky, dirty and the exhaust manifolds are cast iron and easy to crack. When you check out the core engine you want to inspect it well. Anything missing will cost a lot more. Check that the oil pan will fit your cars crossmember, cars and trucks are different.

Before you start check what the total cost will be vs buying a running engine. Good luck Pete

Take the heads off the engine.   This will remove about 150lbs in heads and manifolds.  It also gives you an excuse for a view of what your are getting. If you bring a puller then you can get the front cover off it also.  A bare block weighs ~220# a crank 55# and the rest of the internals maybe another 50#.  So that gets you down to about 300# or so. 

Attach the short block to a spreader bar IE a 2x4 and two or better yet 4 guys can lift it into the back of your Bronco. 

2 layers of cardboard will allow you to slide the engine easily.

Door framing in even somewhat flimsy garages is usually strong enough to carry an engine's weight.   A doubled 2x8 across an 8' door will carry an engine easily.  Drill a 1/2"+ hole from the inside out close to the top of the 2x8's for a 1/2" bolt.   Run a loop of chain from inside under the 2x8's to the outside and hook a chain hoist to that. Cheaper and much smaller than a roll around hoist if space is a problem. 

ahhh, youth.  I don't like to go outside if its below 50 these days!!!!!!!!!!

I bought a 4 post Bend Pak car lift from them and some smaller equipment too. Their engine stand, Model 471B, uses shorter legs in front which makes it easier to position the stand between the legs of the engine hoist when transferring the engine from the hoist to the stand. Just some little details I found out the hard way over the years.

Rono

If you obtain an engine hoist (as has been said get 4 wheels) you can often back the trailer up to your workspace and roll the hoist wheels under the trailer a pick the engine straight up and roll it inside.  Of course this only works on a hard surface.  Don't bother trying to roll it loaded across gravel or dirt,  won't work.  Try to make all your "pick ups" directly over the load.  Trying to pick up a heavy object by pulling the chain out to it and lifting the weight from an angle can have unhappy results.

Good Luck

Moonshadow- Having grown up in Missouri and not having a garage I am familiar with being the tool fetcher for my dad in the winter and sometimes with snow on the ground. It was there I learned so many of the magic words needed to work on any mechanical device.

I wish I were in Columbus

Best to all

Missouiri Mike

Hope you weren't injured after being assaulted in your van.

Mike

Here’s the link to a picture of the engine cradle I use on completed engines.  They bolt to the heads and cover the exhaust ports further sealing up the engine.

Engine cradle picture