jack stands

The following will demonstrate what a newbie I am to the 911. I am going to perform some routine maint. on my new (to me) 78SC. Oil change, gearbox fluid change, pop off valve installation and fix a fuel leak. I have the following questions:
In a tech article on this site (see engine drop made easy) the writer suggests supporting the car on jack stands via the torsion bar tube covers. Is this really safe or is there a better support point?
Next question, can both the engine oil and gear box oil be drained with the car jacked up or does it need to be level in order to properly drain?
last question, I have read some posts where the individual has had a hard time removeing the two plugs on the gearbox, is there anything I can do to make this easier?
Anything else I should be aware of?
Any input is greatly appreciated
Rob

From a fellow newbie: there's a lot of debate about where it's best to put jack stands -- there are welded assemblies you can get to insert into the jacking points that are at the center (wieght-distribution-wise) of either side of the rocker panels. If you jack under the transaxle, people suggest a piece of wood to prevent gouging. There are good points in the neighborhod of the torsion bar tubes to hold the car up, but I'll leave it to someone who knows betterthan me to say where, specifically.

You do need to have the car level for the transaxle fluid change. As I recall, I jacked each side up incrementally, with four jackstands distributing the load. Then I prayed a lot while twisting the bolts that they wouldn't shear, and that the car wouldn't fall on top of me. I don't know if this will factor into any theology schools' curricula, but I survived.

------------------
Jack Olsen
1973 911 T sunroof coupe

[This message has been edited by JackOlsen (edited 09-05-2000).]

Thanks Jack
after reading earlier posts with suggestions from Warren I plan on flushing my gearbox with a 70-90wt valvoline and after 200 miles changing again to Swepco 201. Did you use Swepco and if so did shifting become smoother?

Use good jackstands, and still don't completely trust them. The thick sheet metal ones with the pins are junk.

the car has to be level for all the fluid to drain. Fortunately the drain plugs are on the exact bottom. If you can't just reach under there, jack slightly, remove the plug and lower the car.

Yes, Swepco will make your car shift better.

Be sure to have a large drain pan under the oil tank. It will drop a LOT of oil in a big hurry.

With a wooden block for protection, I use a floor jack on the cast point just behind the round, black sump plate at teh center of the engine. Do not jack on the sump plate, but on the cast ridge just behind it. I then put SIX TON jackstands under the torsion tube covers. These protrude into the rear wheel wells in front of the rear wheels. Tehy are very convenient, rock solid and do not bend. Use a piece of leather or something to protect them.

If you use the right tool and nobody has overtightened them, these plugs will not be difficult to remove.

Good Luck

------------------
'83 SC

Rob

Yes, I'm a Swepco user (as a result of this board in general, and Warren Hall in particular) and have been happy with it. When I got the car, the transaxle was on its last legs (about a cup and a half of black goo where the gear oil was supposed to be), and a flush with over-the-counter gear oil followed 200 miles later with Swepco made for a dramatic improvement. About a thousand miles ago, I had a rebuilt tranny put in, and was using the gear oil my mechanic put into it while I waited for a new engine to arrive from Germany. When I get it back from the mechanic (with the new engine, in about a month), I'm going to fill the transaxle with Swepco so that I can feel the improvement all over again.

------------------
Jack Olsen
1973 911 T sunroof coupe