Dropping engine... how much space needed to slide it out from under the car?

[sempaipaul]

Title says it all

Trying to buy the correct jack stands and also figure out my strategy.

I was trying to get one of these:
500 lb. Capacity Hydraulic Table Cart

Take off the handle and place it under the engine. Drop the engine on it and then roll this thing out from under the car. I need to know how much clearance however the engine needs. I assume the bumper will have to come off?

The reason I want to use this cart is that I will have to load the engine into an SUV or a pick up for delivery to my rebuilder.

Any other alternative ideas that you guys have approached this with?

Thank you,
Paul

[sixbanger]

Three feet maybe more. AND THE CART HEIGHT PLUS THE ENGINE PLUS SOME MORE TO BE SURE.

[sempaipaul]

I have a 1979 Carrera SC by the way

[Flat6pac]

I like 6 ft behind the car but I'm using a jack with full handle.
Bruce

[wachuko]

I never measured the height needed... but I can tell you that those carts are great for getting the engine and tranny out!

[notfarnow]

about yay high

[McLaren-TAG]

Originally Posted by wachuko

I can tell you that those carts are great for getting the engine and tranny out!

So is a two post lift.

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by McLaren-TAG

So is a two post lift.

Absolutely. I jumped at the first batch of these when they came out. Having a low ceiling garage and not able to install a normal two-post lift... this Max-Jax has been excellent.

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by wachuko

Absolutely. I jumped at the first batch of these when they came out. Having a low ceiling garage and not able to install a normal two-post lift... this Max-Jax has been excellent.

They are the cat's ass for those of us with small, or low garages. I couldn't have a 2 post lift installed permanently in my small garage, and I love the idea of having mounting plates located in different spots in the garage.

[Mick_D]

I removed the lower valance and bumper w/extensions and raised the car at least 22.5 inches , measured at the bottom of the torsion bar covers, where hopefully you have the stands.

[Driven97]

I put my engine on a modified Harbor Freight furniture cart, maybe 6" tall total. Couldn't get it to clear what I felt was safely with the bumper on, I ended up pulling the bumper. I used 3 ton SUV jack stands which go to about 16" tall. Memory is a little fuzzy, but I don't think those were high enough on the torsion bar covers, even with the bumper off.

[wayner]

How many other internet car forums have so many members sharing pictures of dropping perfectly functional engines just for fun?

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by Driven97

I put my engine on a modified Harbor Freight furniture cart, maybe 6" tall total. Couldn't get it to clear what I felt was safely with the bumper on, I ended up pulling the bumper. I used 3 ton SUV jack stands which go to about 16" tall. Memory is a little fuzzy, but I don't think those were high enough on the torsion bar covers, even with the bumper off.

Paul,

The height of the complete CIS engine from heat exchangers to top of the CIS boot is approximately 28". So you would need a minimum of 28" + cart height. In your case it could be 28" + 8"(?). Add another inch for additional clearance. Removal of the rear valance would lessen how much you have to raise the car. Whatever you do, stay safe and make sure the car is stable before pulling the engine. Loosen the four (4) mounting bolts prior to getting to the required height for clearance.

Tony

[seanratpel]

36"

[acme911]

Not certain, but believe there were other threads recommending the 1000lb version of that cart as it was a little weak on the the lifting.

Originally Posted by sempaipaul

Title says it all

Trying to buy the correct jack stands and also figure out my strategy.

I was trying to get one of these:
500 lb. Capacity Hydraulic Table Cart

Take off the handle and place it under the engine. Drop the engine on it and then roll this thing out from under the car. I need to know how much clearance however the engine needs. I assume the bumper will have to come off?

The reason I want to use this cart is that I will have to load the engine into an SUV or a pick up for delivery to my rebuilder.

Any other alternative ideas that you guys have approached this with?

Thank you,
Paul

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by acme911

Not certain, but believe there were other threads recommending the 1000lb version of that cart as it was a little weak on the the lifting.

Good catch. Correct. Need to go with the 1,000 version. That is the one I got. When you consider both engine and transmission best to go with the higher rate version.

[Hoss911sc]

After the motor is on the cart, you can use 2x6 under the body near torsion tubes and use your floor jack to lift the now lighter body high enough to slide out and then rest back on jack stands after its out..

[wdfifteen]

This is my poor-man's lift. I drive the car onto my trailer, put the ramps up on jack stands, and back the car onto the ramps. I should have, but I didn't measure the height of the car when I was getting the engine out. I think it was about 30", which included 5 inches for the transmission jack. Because the car was sitting on its suspension it raised up about 3" when I disconnect the engine/transmission mounts. The engine and trans weight about 650 lbs, so a 500 lb jack isn't going to cut it. I use an 800lb Harbor Freight transmission jack and it wasn't enough.

[cabmandone]

I used a craftsman ATV jack to drop my engine. The most recent time I left the bumper on and I'm thinking my rear valance was about 36" off the ground. On my 3.2 I removed the filter box and elbow to give myself the necessary clearance. I had my rear jack stands as high as they'd go plus a 2x10 under that. I then put jacks under the front to level the car and got the engine and trans loose and started lowering with the atv jack. I then went up front and lowered the front back down to the ground which put the back where you see it in the pics.

[Mick_D]

I musta gotten lucky, I just raised the car as high as I could with the floor jack on the sump, put it on stands at that height, took the bumper and valence off, and I had more than enough room. I dropp the motor and trans with the floor jack to a furniture dolly. Will be putting the engine on a stand soon. I bet that's harder than lowering it in one piece.