Bent My Sump Plate When Used as Jacking Point
 

My jack has a big lifting plate and I added 4 layers of cabinet liner (rubber padded sticky stuff) that was folded over. Basically 8 layers. Then I rolled a cloth towel and placed it on top of the cabinet liner.

This is how I have always done it ... without issue.

Until now. The sump plate bent during my most recent rear end lift when installing my muffler. I have not removed the plate to see if there is any damage to the oil pump - I don't imagine there would be b/c the bend is pretty slight and oil pressure is still fine. The plate isn't leaking either - just dented.

I thought that I would share this info. I don't plan on using the sump plate as a jacking point again. It could have been a lot worse and I would have been furious b/c my engine was recently rebuilt ... that would have hurt.

Just a word of caution. Take it or leave it.

My 930. case has a tab at the rear - I've been using this for a while; this is what most people (who jack with the engine) use, correct? Initially I said I wasn't going to jack with the engine but the car is so low and lacks the jack holes on the rails that it's about my only option right now. I have to lift the car by hand about a half inch to get my small floor-jack under it.

Drive it on a piece of wood, then you have clearance for a jack.

I built a wood adapter out of 2 layers of 2x8 that fits the case's tabs and curves. It has a carved out spot of the top layer where the sump plate is so the plate gets no force. I have an arrow sharpied on the side where the center of the jack's plate should go to perfectly balance the trans/engine assembly. Works like a champ... and it was free from scrap wood around the shop...

Just buy a new sump plate... mine was $20 off e-bay. When you take the old one off make sure to check the oil pump scavenge pipe for damage.

-Michael

Sorry to hear about the sump plate damage, but consider yourself lucky.

Only bad things can happen when 1500-1600 lbs of upward force is applied to the engine. BTW, neither the engine or the gearbox are designed to be stressed members.

Sherwood

Since I have two jacks I will start using the jack pads and lift both sides at the same time. However, I have also found stress cracks in the paint below the jack pad insert area. I suppose that there is some body flex going on - saw a thread about this topic a while back.

I use the side lift points and a jack pad to lift my car. I do this because my car is so low a jack won't go under the engine. Other than MCA's recent bent sump plate, has anyone ever damaged their engine, mounts, etc. while lifting with the engine, transmission? I lifted my '81 this way and never had an issue. I am not starting a discussion about why or why not, I just wonder if there is any first hand experience of damage done.

Thanks