Transmission jack for Engine and tranny removal

[H2odiesel]

I'm getting ready to do my first drop and looking at the options. has anyone tried this Harbor freight scissor type transmission jack for a engine and tranny drop? It looks pretty good with no handle to get in the way like the motorcycle lift jack and the price seems right. Transmission Jack - 450 Lb. Capacity

[DaveE]

You'd be seriously pushing the weight limit of that jack.

[Dave Colangelo]

I love harbor freight as much as many of the members here but when it comes to my safety I dont trust them in any way shape or form. I have plenty of tools from there and they have lasted me far longer than people seem to think they last and helped me with plenty of repairs. But all of my jacks, jack stands, and other serious load bearing tools come from more reputable sources. I also have made a habit of using a bit of overkill (max load limit is always greater than max load) when it comes to jacks just to be safe.

Let this be a staunch reminder of what happens when you go over a weight limit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjw2gQEBSc0


Regards
Dave

[HelmetHead]

This would be a better choice for engine/gearbox removal

1000 lbs. Capacity Hydraulic Table Cart

[rick-l]

Originally Posted by H2odiesel

I'm getting ready to do my first drop and looking at the options. has anyone tried this Harbor freight scissor type transmission jack for a engine and tranny drop? It looks pretty good with no handle to get in the way like the motorcycle lift jack and the price seems right. Transmission Jack - 450 Lb. Capacity

That thing is a piece of $hit. I have one that has been sitting in the back yard you can have.

It would not lift the 5 speed in my Rx-7 without binding up.

[H2odiesel]

I appreciate the feedback guys! What is a good figure to use for a combined weight for enginee and transmission ?

[DaveE]

I think most engines are in the 450 lb range and a gearbox is maybe 75 to 130 lb depending on the type. Those are guesstimates

[FL911SC]

I don't know if this helps but here is a suggestion.
For my first drop, I bought a furniture dolly, added 2- 2x4s to the center and then a 1/2 piece of ply wood on top. The additional 2x4s added the support needed for the center section of the plywood. This worked well for the drop and also gave me a nice platform to move and work in the motor once it was out.

Here is the part you need to consider no matter what you choose: For me, once the engine and transmission was ready to come out, meaning all that was left was to loosen the mounts, we lowered the car almost all the way down and rested it back on the lowered jack stands. The result it that the engine is only a foot or so above the floor. Then we placed a floor jack under the dolly (at the reinforced part) and raised it up to the engine. Once all the mounts were loose and we were happy that it was stable we lowered the whole thing straight down to the floor. We then lifted the car back up high enough to pull the motor out.
This approach really limits the height you need to "drop" the engine not matter what you choice to hold it.
Good luck with it!

[grizzfan]

This would be a better choice for engine/gearbox removal

1000 lbs. Capacity Hydraulic Table Cart

__________________
Einar

My mechanic and I used one of these things from HF, although it was orange in color, and had zero problems.

Tom

[T77911S]

i use a tranny jack for engine drops. works GREAT! i like it because the jack plate can be adjusted so it tilts to the angle of the engine. the other main advantage is it has 4 wheels that swivel so i can move the engine in any direction under the car to line it up when putting it back in. thats probably the biggest advantage. it also has chains so you can chain the engine to the jack. i also use it to lift the car higher to get the engine out from under it.

i also use it because i made the mistake and bought a big some *****(jackie gleason) a long time ago so i need to use it for something.

[GaryR]

I use a Sears ATV jack with a couple 2x4s under the headers and a ratcheting strap on the front to keep it level with the trans attached. Easy to move around, adjustable for height, very stable.

[Jesse16]

The ATV/motorcycle jack works great. You can get them at lots of places, Northern Tool included. What I've used. If you aren't using a full car lift system, you really don't lift or drop the engine much, more of a lift the car off or drop it on the engine with the jack just making up a short space.

[T77911S]

that jack has a nice big platform forthe motor but the tranny jack has 4 wheels that swivel. makes it soooo much easier to line the engine up to bolt it in.

another thing to consider is how hi the jack goes. you either have to get the car hi enough to roll the engine out, then you need a jack that goes hi enough to reach the motor, or once you drop the motor you have to raise the car.

[uwanna]

The best ATV lift is this one from Sears. I originally bought one from HF but took it back
when I saw the quality of the Sears unit. I got a furniture dolly and replaced the swivel
casters with much taller ones. I then could place the dolly on the Sears lift and lower the motor/trans. I then was free to slid the lift out and use the dolly to roll things around.
The Sears lift has much better and precise control when you release the valve to lower things (a shortcoming of the cheaper lifts) It also controls the lift like a floor jack with a "twist"shaft, instead of a foot pedal like the lesser units, plus it's aluminum and much lighter. It is a few more dollars ($54 more than the cheaper red Craftsman), but you will have it forever.

When I buy tools, I always reread a little laminated card that I keep in my wallet that reads:
"The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"
I then act accordingly!

[Robey5]

I have the red craftsman ATV jack.

While it is nice, I would love to have 4 casters that can turn. Dropping the motor and trans is a task that you will want to do slowly. The ATV jack allows you to do that, and you don't have to attempt to balance it on a "jack pad" as seen on typical floor jacks.

Regarding the HF special: your engine and trans is full of (carefully crafted) things that will be damaged when the HF jack fails. For that matter, I have some tools (not too many) that I have purchased from HF, and they are for what I consider "disposable" purposes. If I trash a multimeter from HF, I can throw it in the trash not angry for testing something improperly. Things like jack stands, jacks, lifts and such are craftsman (at a minimum) in my garage.

Here's the best part: keep an eye on craigslist, ATV jacks seem to be items that people let go of for cheap. I scooped mine for $80.

Good luck!!

[porschetub]

Originally Posted by rick-l

That thing is a piece of $hit. I have one that has been sitting in the back yard you can have.

It would not lift the 5 speed in my Rx-7 without binding up.

Exactly it doesn't have enough base area to take the load and looks cheap and nasty.....price is a good clue here also
Perhaps the OP could hire the atv type for the job,unless he has a lot of use for one this would be a cheaper option.

[stormcrow]

Here is a picture I posted on Facebook - Here is the URL:

https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/27110_110673295634757_5928944_n.jpg

[WEST COAST 02]

I have been looking for something like this as well, has anyone used the adapters for a floor jack that are available?

[304065]

The ATV jacks are all way too low- they require you to use a crane to put the motor on the P201 for the stand.

Use the hydraulic lift table and you don't need a crane anymore-- you can R&R the motor, put it on the stand, or even put it in the back of a standard pickup truck with the table (ford Ranger or something low, not something with a 6" body lift)

And be careful you can kill or dismember yourself with these things

[Quinlan]

I did the R and R with a transmission jack, and it was a bear to do it all alone. Then I got the jack adapter from our host, and it is SOOOOO much easier (and safer)
1979 Porsche 911 SC Coupe - Tools - Page 6