How do I jack it up high enough...

GSpreeman · GSpreeman's Garage

I want to finally install my engine. How do I jack up the rear high enough to get the engine in?

id10t · 08-01-2004, 07:35 PM

When I changed my clutch and TOB, I started with a el-cheapo 2 ton floor jack on a piece of 2x4 under my factory jack point - still nice and solid, so why not use what the Dr. intended right? Then used a piece of 2x4 on top of a high quality floor jack designed for my friends Nissan SUV under the transmission hoop. Then used the el-cheapo jack to lower/raise the engine out of/into place.

GSpreeman · GSpreeman's Garage

I was afraid the transmission hoop wouldn't hold it. Might be worth a try though.

Thanks

id10t · 08-02-2004, 07:55 AM

Once you've got it up via the trans hoop, you need to put jack stands under the torsion bars.

JackW · 09-13-2004, 08:06 AM

I've used the "two jack" method for thirty years - goes something like this...for removing and installing 356 engines in under 11 minutes.

put a standard floor jack under the transmission hoop and raise it as high as it will go - put jack stands under the torsion bar tubes. You'll notice that the jack will not reach the bottom of the engine now but...

Take another jack (floor or scissors type) and with a block of wood to spread the load place it at the leading edge of the main floor pan where the y-brace ties in from the front suspension. Raise this front jack until the car is sitting level - as the nose comes up the rear of the car comes down and now the rear jack will reach the lower surface of the engine. This method has the added advantage of making everything level so the engine will easily slide back off the pilot shaft and mounting studs.

Once the engine is free of the transmission you lower the rear floor jack down to the ground and then lower the front jack - thsi raises the rear apron of the 356 so that the top of the engine will easily clear the underside of the car.

Installation is the reverse of the above procedure.

We used to time ourselves pulling the engine - one mechanic working alone - 356 on the ground with every thing hooked up - the tools, jacks and jackstands ready - start the stopwatch and click it again when the engine cleared the rear apron of the car - I think my best time was something like 10:21. Of course I was much younger and more flexible then...