Lift Owners - Enlighten Me On Engine Removal

[mca]

I need some schooling from those of you that routinely use a lift.

I have a scissor lift. Previously I'd remove the engine by using an ATV jack on the engine and a floor jack on the transmission and then I'd lift the car away. The floor jack would allow me to set the appropriate angle in order to clear the shift rod from the tunnel.

I recently purchased a table lift to facilitate engine removal - seems safer and easier especially when working alone. Today I pulled my engine b/c I have to fix my cam seals. So I used the scissor lift to raise the car to the full height. Then I raised the table lift up to the engine / transmission. As I began the removal process, it dawned on me that I had no way to change the angle of the transmission in order to clear the shift rod. As I lowered the table lift, the tranny end would raise off of the table b/c the shift rod was still in the tunnel (supporting the weight at that end). Basically I had to keep wedging wood under the tranny until i could get it at the correct angle to clear the tunnel.

There has to be a better way. Can someone please enlighten me?

[Jim Sims]

Pelican Parts - Product Information: PEL-PW-2563

[timmy2]

Originally Posted by Jim Sims

Pelican Parts - Product Information: PEL-PW-2563

+1 That and a floor jack is exactly what I used. Works as advertised and was easy to remove and install by myself.

[mca]

But I'm not using a jack. Just the table lift.

[PrimeMvr]

I did what you used to do but with the scissor lift down so the table jack just fits under. Floor jack on the tranny and slowly lift the car off the engine instead of lowering the engine from the car, while adjusting the floor jack accordingly. Worked great and I did it alone. I haven't put it back in yet so I can't tell you how that process will work in reverse.

[bell]

just put a 2x4 or 2 under the engine on your jack where the engine meets the trans....it'll give you the pivot you need for the angle....when it's out you can just tilt it and slide it out...

[PrimeMvr]

I found my thread. There is an ok shot of the engine coming out.

My first engine drop

[boyt911sc]

Craig,

The 911 engine needs to get into an angle to be able to get it out from the engine bay. Whether you use a floor jack, ATV jack, cart, or hydraulic table like yours, the engine trans combo has to be tilted, slide back, clear the transmission tunnel, and clear the rear subframe at the same time lowering the engine/transmission at angle. An ideal equipment is some what similar to a transmission jack.

So I built a tiltable wooden flatform for the engine/transmission to rest and anchored it to the cart or dolly with a scissor jack wedged under the flatform and the cart. I set or lower the lift so that the engine/trans is almost resting on the flatform. Remove all 4 mounting bolts, gradually raise the car slowly keeping the transmission selector shaft free from contact from the tunnel hole or opening. As you raise the car/lift, the scissor jack is also crank to raise one end of the flatform. So both the car and the flatform move up in conjunction with each other until you get the engine/trans out.

Instead of wedging the engine using assorted piece of wood, I found the scissor jack very effective in raising the transmission end during the removal. I do engine drop solo all the time.

Tony

[mca]

Yes. This seems to be the most practical method. Thanks for the help.

just put a 2x4 or 2 under the engine on your jack where the engine meets the trans....it'll give you the pivot you need for the angle....when it's out you can just tilt it and slide it out...

[mca]

Thanks Tony. As always, I'm impressed with your methods of troubleshooting! I'd love to see a picture of that setup.

So I built a tiltable wooden flatform for the engine/transmission to rest and anchored it to the cart or dolly with a scissor jack wedged under the flatform and the cart. I set or lower the lift so that the engine/trans is almost resting on the flatform.

[yelcab1]

somebody, I cannot remember who, cut a 4 inch slot into the bottom of the car so that the engine / transmission with its shift rod disconnected from the bushing can just drop straight down from the car without tilting and shifting back.

I thought that was a great idea if you do a lot of engine drop on the same car like racers do.

[GaryR]

I have a "V" cut out on my race car, done by a sawszall at the track. It allows a transmission removal without removing the engine too!