Commodity guide · engines
Assembled engines are dense and typically rate class 70 (15 - 22.5 pcf); crated engines with generous clearance can drop to class 85.
An automotive engine is a solid block of iron and aluminum: on a tight skid it usually measures 15 - 25 pcf, which is class 70 or better. The classic mistake is the oversized crate - double the cube and the same engine rates class 85 or 100.
Worked example. A v8 engine bolted to a skid: 42 × 36 × 36 in, 550 lb. That is 31.5 cu ft and 550 lb → 17.46 pcf → class 70. Run your own numbers →
Drain fluids before tendering (residual oil and coolant can trigger hazmat questions and leakage claims), bolt the engine to the skid, and keep the footprint tight. Transmissions rate similarly - see the dedicated page.
Related: the full class chart · density calculator · how NMFC codes work.