Drop motor/gear box on a four post lift?

[derkpitt]

Anyone ever dropped the motor and gear box on a four post lift with 35" between the ramps?

[dad911]

Yes. Basic steps:

1) remove/disconnect everything but the 4 bolts holding the engine/trans
2) Lay a piece of plywood across the bottom, and some blocks/jackstands/ etc on the ground, so when you lower the lift, the engine/trans is supported by the plywood/stands from the floor.
3) remove bolts and raise lift, now the engine is laying on the plywood, on the deck of the lift.
4) jack up the back of the car, from the deck of the lift.
5) Slide out the engine.

It is actually easier than it sounds.

[derkpitt]

Ok, Thx.

I'm looking at these lifts from Direct,
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Vehicle-4-Post-Lift-s/36.htm
The Pro Park 9 PLUS has 35" between the ramps and the Pro Park 8 Plus only has 32" I don't think the motor will drop down on the 32" So I'm guessing the 35" will be ok for dropping.

[derkpitt]

No one uses a four post lift to drop there motor?

[Elombard]

Get a life, I take it out on the floor like a real man! :-)

[Zeke]

Do with what you have, 4 post, 2post, scissors or jack and stands. It doesn't make any difference other than convenience. I'd take a motor out on a 4 post any day and leave it on a rolling cart about engine stand high.

[Zeke]

Do with what you have, 4 post, 2post, scissors or jack and stands. It doesn't make any difference other than convenience. I'd take a motor out on a 4 post any day and leave it on a rolling cart about engine stand high.

[Elombard]

Hmm He is asking if there is room to do it with 35" between the rails. I guess that did not come across on the post.

He is afraid the rails are too close together.

[911quest]

Go with a two post if your garage floor is strong enough to support it. They are much easier to use and work with. Most shops aren't filled with four post lifts for a reason...

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Elombard

Hmm He is asking if there is room to do it with 35" between the rails. I guess that did not come across on the post.

He is afraid the rails are too close together.

It would work one way or the other for me....

The sheet metal is slightly wider, but the valve cover to valve cover measurement is a good bit less than 35".

[ovilla]

If you haven't purchased a lift yet and are considering one that would allow for you to easily drop engines, give serious consideration to the BendPak HD-9-B (normal hieght but extra wide). I have this one and one of the things that I really liked about it was that one can set the ramps at either 37" or 43" apart. The ramp without the cylinder can be bolted in at the two different positions and/or just scooted further apart if needed. Anyway, the 43" width allowed me to easily drop my 914 enigne and trans. Here's a pic of it at the 37" width, which is where I normally keep it. Finally, the BendPak HD-9 series are certified lifts that come with dual safety locks (with the 2nd set monitoring the tension on each cable - if a cable snaps the lift simply drops down to the next lower locking point). I ordered mine along with the RJ45 rolling air jack and am very happy with the felexibility that this whole set up offers. If you have any questions, just ask. Here's some pics.

Omar

[ovilla]

Here's another view. The BendPak RJ45 (4,500 lb capacity) rolling air jack is the black scissors lift that can roll along the u-channel along the the inside of the ramps. There's three locking positions and since it uses a cylinder and not an air bag (like other units), it gives you a rock solid resting spot at the different locking heights. Using the RJ45, you can easily lift the body off the ramps at the rear of a 914 (or 911). Then again the 4-post lift will let you just raise it straight up too.

[derkpitt]

Thx ovilla, that's the info I was looking for.
I don't believe the ramps on the Direct lifts are move-able.
I bet the drop is a breeze with 43" between the ramps.

And Elombard, you just keep shoveling that horse manure

[gumba]

I have an Eagle 4 post lift. I moved the ramps out to 40" inside to inside. I cut a 36" length off the inside lip off, which gave me 39" inside to inside. The motor clears with some room to spare. I use a harbor freight lifting table to set the motor on. I lower the lift to about 4", jack the lifting table to support the motor then disconnect the trans & engine bolts. I remove the muffler before dropping the motor.