Homemade engine cradle

[peppy]

I used a piece of channel iron with some wood blocks glued on. The cradle fits under 84-89 engine and into the saddle of a floor jack. The tall blocks are for the rear of the engine. It helped keep the engine and transmission level, but I still had to balance the engine on the jack.


dimensions 16.5"long
4.75" wide
2.25"tall

block height from left to right
.75" .5" 1.75"
.5" .5" 1.75"

[RichHawk]

WOW!
Talk about sturdy.
I suspect the angle iron is there mostly for keeping the jack centered, as I suspect that you don't need it for bending strength.

I pestered Peppy to put dimensions to his cradle. Thanks man!

When I pulled my engine down (using a transmission style jack on the engine and a floor jack on the transmission) I had to pretty much hold the engine steady left to right. to keep it from tilting. Is that what you're talking about Peppy?

I've been thinking of a cradle like yours plus "wings" beneath the exhaust on either side. The wings would be for steadying, and the cradle would be for lifting. of course to keep it stable I would have to bolt the cradle to the 8 inch flat plate that is the transmission jack surface.

What have other people done to hold the engine stable during reentry

Richard

[steely]

Nice!

I might use this so I can support the engine during replacement of the mounts.

Thanks!

[peppy]

Yes, Richard we had to hold the engine and transmission left to right. Wider is better.

I also used some shims to get the angle needed to match the slope of the car with the rear end 3+feet in the air.