Unplanned engine drop, am I screwed?

[Kurt B]

This is going to go down and probably the most moronic mechanical post in the history of this board, but here goes.
To make a long story short, my muffler was too low. Well guess what, the ENGINE was too low.
I got under there and realized my fan belt was wearing because the fan belt housing was rubbing into it. Well, I did not know this black housing is actually the f'ing motor mount. So I started taking it apart.
Apparently, I had taken the two bottom bolts out a while back and forgot to put them back. I told you this was moronic.
Anyway, so with those out, and only one bolt holding the engine in, it started to fall out.
Anyway, wondering a little why the bolts were so large I started taking things out so i could put it all back together.
And i took the three bolts out of the long bar (which holds the engine Mr. Bingham!), and then took of the shock thingy and
WHAM.
The engine fell out. Of course, it didn't hit the ground because the tranny held it up.
However, did I trash my engine and tranny with this?
I just got it back in with the mounts in, and I have only the mount the engine back on the bar with the 3 bolts. Dare I even drive it now?
The engine didn't hit the ground, I do not smell gas. No tranny fluid.
Any advice appreciated, including "Bozo of the year" award and all of that for DROPPING the engine without knowing it
No, I wasn't upset. In fact, it was so surprising and pathetic, I actually started laughing.


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Kurt B
1984 Carrera Cabriolet
911 Page
carrera_cabriolet@yahoo.com

[Leland Pate]

kurt...................

I KNOW E X A C T L Y HOW YOU FEEL!

....just play it cool...go have a smoke....


I bet you did at least some damage to the shifting rod that goes into the tranny. Hopefully not faital though.

I fel you brother...at least you didn't do it in front of lie 20 people like I did.

[dtw]

The tranny is fine- big strong bolts holding the trans and motor together. You probably stressed the trans mount bolts some, inspect that area carefully.

Check all yer wiring and lines, etc.- lots of vacuum lines and harnesses with your 3.2 that may have been jerked when the engine dropped.

I think you should have five bolts on the "fan housing" (yup it's actually your engine mount) if memory serves. Get all those in. Doublecheck everything again and drive away. You should be fine.

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Dave
1972 911T (E motor) RSR replica project
http://members.nbci.com/dtwinters/garage/

[paulhagedorn]

Never done this, but I would imagine everything should be alright. Might want to check the transmission mounts, though. They might be a little stressed. Check the nose cone of the transmission and the ears. If everything is still in adjustment, and looks like it is in place, start the engine and pray. I doubt you did anything, though.

Kind of amazing that the engine was still in place like normal without the other mounts, though.

It is kind of funny, but if you screwed something up...then oh ****.

Paul

[Early_S_Man]

Kurt,

I doubt if anything mechanical was damaged ... you could hang the entire weight of the car on those forward trans mounts without hurting them! It only dropped 5" maximum, right?

The most likely damage is to the wiring harness, and there may be some connections pulled out at crimps, others just disconnected ...

Good time to go over the engine slowly and methodically, I doubt if Bentley will be much help, though!

And, check the fuel lines ... ALL of them! You dont want any fuel spewing out at 39 psi onto hot exhaust parts 30 minutes into your first test drive! The body shop must have messed up bad, huh?

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

[Kurt B]

Engine is back in.
Looking for one bolt still MIA.
If this thing starts and runs after this, man, I'll just steal Ford's slogan
"Built Porsche Tough"
"I survived 2 years of ownership by a complete dumb@ss, and I'm still running!"

I'll never forget my happy go-lucky whistling as I tapped the last 17mm bolt out of the engine strut. "Gee, this one's kinda tight..."
No ***** sherlock, your engine is about to do skydiving.

[cegerer]

>>> ...."Gee, this one's kinda tight..." <<<

ROFL!

Seriously though, I hope everything works out. -- Curt

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1971 911T - 2.5L Big Bore

[Leland Pate]

Kurt, that last remark has tears in my eyes.
I can hardly type.

Good god that's funny.

[This message has been edited by Leland Pate (edited 06-15-2001).]

[twin plugged targa]

Kurt

Your posts on this site, make you one of the funniest Guys ever .
My wife even follows your posts and has a good giggle!.
Your ability to look mechanical trauma in the eyes and see the funny side makes me envious!
If you ever want to join the Yachting fraternity just let me know! This industry could do with a few more people like you!!!

Fun aside, I only learnt that that piston thingy at the rear of the engine bay was to do with the engine mounts a week or so ago!.
As Targa's and Coupes do not have it I believe?

Hope she runs -and well!
Best of luck
Ben

[paulhagedorn]

At least you can laugh about it. Hope you get it all back together and have a nice beer after you go for a spin. I said AFTER!


Well, I will admit to one very dumb mistake that I did with my 914. I was backing it up onto ramps and was getting frustrated because I couldn't get fully on it. Sooo, I gave it a little bit too much gas and went up onto the ramps and off the back side. Talk about my heart dropping into my stomach. I got out and was expecting a nice crimp on each side of the car...but the car had landed on the ramps with the engine mounting bar. Needless to say, the ramps were toast, but I jacked the car up and off of them by jacking up on the transmission.

Never forget that day, though.

Paul

[Joeaksa]

Kurt,

Know what you mean, almost did the same years ago.

One thing to keep an eye on is your seal for the shifter rod where it goes into the gearbox/body. Hope it did not damage the seal. If so I believe that you then would start to lose fluid. Would drive it a bit and stop and make sure that everything is tight and dry.

JA

[Kurt B]

Nice tip Joe, I'll do that....like I do after oil changes and so forth, i'll keep an eye out for anything unusual below the engine. So far, it's back in, all together, and I've ridden around the block a few times and it seems to be just fine.
thanks guys.


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Kurt B
1984 Carrera Cabriolet
911 Page
carrera_cabriolet@yahoo.com

[Norm Faustino]

Kurt! although I am new to this site and P-cars I have observed all of this folly from the quiet of my home but man I have had some good laughs not just from you but from all the great guys that post on the site. I have to say I am truly impressed by your willingness to share your experience. (experience being the key word here) I can also say that by bringing light to your story we can all benefit from such a mistake simply by raising awareness of our maintenance practices. I for one have made mistakes by being caught up in the excitement of wanting to drive my car so bad that I got distracted and missed something. I am glad however, to know that you were not hurt nor that your engine didn't fall out while crossing a bridge or on a dark road at night and I know we've all had that one happen. happy motoring and long live P-cars.


Norm Faustino

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78 Super Carrera

[Doug Zielke]

Kurt,
I'm glad you were not hurt because of this gaff. You could have motored off down the road and....

When you take the car back out on the road, listen for any unusual noises from the trans.
If you hear any, it may indicate a misalignment between the trans and engine mounts. To correct, just loosen the 4 engine carrier bolts on the cross bar top, then retorque to 29 ft/lbs.

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'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
The Blue Bomber's Website

[davis911s]

Glad to know I am not the only one with dumb luck here

Good luck I really hope everything is fine.

Shawn

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

Converibles have a shock and vibration dampener unit on the rear engine mount.

Never heard that they brake loose.

Right now the best is to support the engine by using some wood pieces. If you lift the one side with a long rod you can wiggle it up a bit. A shop lifter will do the best for bringing it back home.

915 can have bend shifter rod you will find out later. No problem will still work. Wires have enough loose for such a drop. Just check the hidden connector for the injection valves.

Grüsse

[Ted Stringer]

I hate to admit this, but I almost did the same thing. I just hapened to be paying attention enough and noticed the engine sliping as I was taking out the last bolt and then went and got the floor jack.

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Ted Stringer
nuke3@juno.com
'84 911 Targa aka pocketrocket

[Kurt B]

Well, I drove it to work today, and everything seems to be OK. No unusual noises and no fluid out of tranny. Let's face it, I would have eventually had that happen while I was driving, so I'm very glad it all unfolded that day as it did. It's good for a laugh too of course.
The wiring, tubes etc all remained connected, so Roland is right.

I'm now finishing up the door contact wiring as well as the overhead light wiring. Once that is completed, I'll reinstall my A/C with new compressor, drier, and hoses. I expect it to be very cold thereafter.

And then, I'm going to dump this aftermarket black carpet(those who are needy on the board email me at that time) for the original german baige. Once that is done, this car will be damn near perfect looking, just in time for a top end rebuild. That'll put the bill at about 50k for the car total including purchase.

But think of it this way...I paid several thousand for my education, and one way or another I've paid for my Porsche knowledge. The only way to do it is just get in there and DO it. That's how you learn, and I don't regret any of it as long as I can keep this car beautiful and looking appreciated!




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Kurt B
1984 Carrera Cabriolet
911 Page
carrera_cabriolet@yahoo.com