Engine lift thread?

[wdfifteen]

Forgive me if this has all been gone through before. I did a search on "engine lift" and got about 5 zillion hits. Every post with the word "engine" in it.

I need to find a good engine lift to put the motor back in my Carrera.

I took the engine out with a transmission jack that was supposed to lift 800 lbs. No way would it hold the engine and transmission. I need something sturdier - like a motorcycle/ATV jack, but I don't know which style works best.
What do you all use?

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Take a look at our lifting equipment section and please let us know if you have any questions.

[John McM]

I'm in New Zealand so can't recommend specific equipment for the US but can give general advice based on experience.

The critical items are weight limit, table dimensions and height range.

The small ATV jacks are not ideal as they don't always have the required height i.e. when you jack the rear of the car up and put it on axle stands, the ATV jack won't go high enough to reach the engine at a height where it can be subsequently lowered and wheeled away. I found this out the hard way and had to work out how to lift the car body off the engine while it sat on the jack.

The best option is a hydraulic lift table with a good height range. They seem to cost about US$260 in your market.

BTW: I'm a big fan of the DK13HLQ 2800lb High-Lift Floor Jack with QuickLift Pedal and Esco stands for lifting our cars and holding them up.

[Trackrash]

I've always used a floor jack. Never had a problem. It helps to have a second jack to lift the front of the trans and hold it in place while you lift the motor with the main jack. A second set of hands to help steady is also good.
I have done it many times by myself and with one jack, however.

[fred cook]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Forgive me if this has all been gone through before. I did a search on "engine lift" and got about 5 zillion hits. Every post with the word "engine" in it.

I need to find a good engine lift to put the motor back in my Carrera.

I took the engine out with a transmission jack that was supposed to lift 800 lbs. No way would it hold the engine and transmission. I need something sturdier - like a motorcycle/ATV jack, but I don't know which style works best.
What do you all use?

I use an ATV/Motorcycle lift with a piece of 3/4" plywood bolted to it. Works well with a couple of small pieces of 2x4 on each side to steady the engine/trans.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by John McM

The best option is a hydraulic lift table with a good height range. They seem to cost about US$260 in your market.

.

I have a 2 post car hoist and I use a lift (scissor) table, makes for a quick and easy job. Only issues you will have is your jack stands may not be high enough and a scissor table doesn't tilt for installing in a car with it's butt jacked way up n the air.

The other issue is the table top is very slippy and you should make a wood cradle so your engine can't slip off. A rubber pad may also work.

[Brian911T]

This is way over build but I made this platform to remove and install my motor using some scrap baltic birtch from a different project. Its large enough to hold the engine and trans and allows my low profile jack to slide under it. I would recommend sliding the engine into place then lower the car so you are not lifting the engine and trans very high. I can post dimensions if you like.