Dropping engine with 4 post lift

[NeedSpace]

I am in the market to purchase a 4 post lift for my 1976 911S. The big question for me is width. The only numbers I have seen are 36 wide and 28 long (which includes the exhaust).

I am assuming I would remove the exhaust for the drop and install so I am not sure if this gives me the extra 5 inches I would need as the lift I am looking at has 32 inch opening (assumes an inch of empty space).

Here is my question, assuming the engine will not drop straight down as it will be about4-5 inches too wide, do you think I could drop the engine to just above the ramps, then spin it 90 degrees (so that the length is now the width) giving me 28 inches to fit through the 32 inch opening?

How have other DIY guys dropped the engine? I have regular ramps now that would raise the car a good 8 inches, but my fear is that won't be enough coverage. I dropped an engine in a VW bug before but for the life of me, I cannot remember how I got it out from the car.

Any response is appreciated.

[beamonk]

Bump, I am looking for the same thing

[80-911SC]

there was a thread on this before and most "hang" it off th back ....

[arrivederci]

Hanging it off the back is very tough in my experience with the transmission still attached (which you'd need to do to rotate the motor 90 deg).

Here's another option that I think you should be able to get away with. You should be able to slide the ramps outward so that the 32" opening becomes 34" or more. Just drill a second set of holes...some lifts have these holes already and are designed to have adjustable width. It'll take more careful alignment when driving onto the lift, but will make dropping the motor much easier than trying to pull it off the back and/or rotating the motor.

[mskala]

I have a 914-6 and have done what has been suggested, which is move
the ramp without the plumbing outward and drill new holes. (Thread on
914world forum). Works great, although to get enough room with the
914 engine sheet metal I actually turned the rail backwards to gain the 3
inches from the flange that is for holding trays.

The complaint from others was that many lifts are just not made with the
width do the second set of holes. I guess I was lucky, but if you have not
yet purchased a lift be sure of this, or order it wide and drill new holes to
narrow it for normal use.

[JmuRiz]

You can get a BendPak HD9 like I have. It has standard ramps and also holes drilled wider to allow for the one ramp (the one without the hydrolics) to be moved wider. Also doesn't feel as 'tight' when pulling a car in.

[mikeferg75]

My Bend Pak also has one ramp "floating" so you can move it wide enough. Inside if my rear tires were just hanging over, had plenty of room. Not the best pic, but just after motor/trans came out.

[jsmithcds]

I am very happy with this one as I could not do the four post due to the entry from the side wall. Says it could pick my yukon xl. I have not mounted it on the other side of the shop wall to see if it does. This summer I will be doing that so I can try. Works perfect for the porsche!


I

[M5guy]

I have a four post Rotary. My 356 engine was too wide, so when everything was disconnected, I would lower the lift with a transmission jack extended upward underneath. When the engine was sitting on the jack, I would pull the engine back off the four transmission bolts, then lower the the jack as much as I could before the cylinders touched the lift, then rotate the jack 90 degrees, and then raise the lift. Working by myself, I could have the engine out by myself in 1/2 hour (quick disconnects on all fluid lines), no heavy lifting.



Ub
1984 911 3.4l Andial
00 M5
64 Corvette Coupe

[Gillies]

Originally Posted by jsmithcds

I am very happy with this one as I could not do the four post due to the entry from the side wall. Says it could pick my yukon xl. I have not mounted it on the other side of the shop wall to see if it does. This summer I will be doing that so I can try. Works perfect for the porsche!


I

That is the cleanest garage I have ever seen !! Wow.

[rothaus]

It is possible for a 911. I did it. When I put the engine back in I will jack up the car on the torsions tube a lttle to make more room between the lift and the rear end.

[NeedSpace]

These posts are perfect. I am looking at the lift this weekend and doing my final measurements. Wish me luck.

BTW, I am VERY jealous of some of the garages shown here. Wish my garage was that clean, hell, I wish my living room was that clean! Hopefully soon for me...if my plans work out, next year will be the 28x28 garage with 12 foot ceiling, maybe with the radiant heat floor...

[jjs3rd914]

Checkout the Backyard Buddy 4 post lift. The spacing between the two ramps is over 39". Several years ago we removed a 914-1.7L engine/trans from our Backyard Buddy lift and it came right down. It was tight as had to take off the front motor mount and muffler/heat exchangers but it fit.

We now have a 1974 911 and it looks like it would also fit. If the 911 engine is 36" wide it should work. I will know for sure in a few months.

Check this link

7000 lb. car lift dimensions standard size Backyard Buddy

PS. I have had a backyard Buddy lift for 17 years ( I have one of the first). Check the others and then look at theirs.

[NeedSpace]

Here's an update. I purchased a lift. After much searching I decided on this one:
Dunnmar 4 post lift
Is is cheaper at costco, but I have always had a great experience with Northern tool and they were incredibly helpful.


The price is reasonable. It isn't a no-name, it is Dunnmar which got some pretty good recommendations. It was supposed to take 4-6 weeks to come in, but I just got a call after only a week. I'll let you know how the install goes.

BTW, my wife was surprisingly supportive...I hope this doesn't come back to bite me in the butt.

[s_morrison57]

Originally Posted by mikeferg75

My Bend Pak also has one ramp "floating" so you can move it wide enough. Inside if my rear tires were just hanging over, had plenty of room. Not the best pic, but just after motor/trans came out.

Is that color stock? sure is nice

[gumba]

I moved the ramps out and cut a 3' length out of the inside flat section of the ramps. I use a H/F 1,000 lb lifting table to drop the motor on. This gives me the option of either raising the lift or lowering the table. This also clears the muffler, but I take the muffler off prior to dropping the motor.
Another great option for the 4 post lift is a sliding lifting jack.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by NeedSpace

... Wish me luck....

Luck

It will be your best buy... with the exception of the car

[yasir]

Originally Posted by jjs3rd914

Checkout the Backyard Buddy 4 post lift. The spacing between the two ramps is over 39". Several years ago we removed a 914-1.7L engine/trans from our Backyard Buddy lift and it came right down. It was tight as had to take off the front motor mount and muffler/heat exchangers but it fit.

We now have a 1974 911 and it looks like it would also fit. If the 911 engine is 36" wide it should work. I will know for sure in a few months.

Check this link

7000 lb. car lift dimensions standard size Backyard Buddy

So with Porsche engine (964 Turbo) at 36" wide and the spacing between the ramps at 39", did any one encounter any issues dropping rhe motor?

[mikeferg75]

Originally Posted by s_morrison57

Is that color stock? sure is nice

Yes, stock Bitter Chocolate

[Tcrate]

I just recently dropped my engine with a four post lift. It was bought locally from a company called Aresco, EFP8XLT. The engine fit perfectly between the rails. I disconnected everything but the engine and trans mounting bolts. Lowered the car downward slowly, put two jacks under the engine, disconnected the four bolts and raised the car while checking to make sure that I had disconnected everything. I tried putting the motor in by lowering the car down to the enigne. The enigne was so low to the ground it was not a real good scenario so next time I would rig something up with my transmission jack or use a different jack to raise the motor higher. But the four post did work for me.