engine defies gravity....

[GaryTodd]

Pulling the engine in my '73 914 1.7. Everything was going well until...
snap... snap.... The bolts for the front engine mounts broke off at the bolt's head. No problem I thought, until I jacked the car up and the engine didn't slide off the bolts. Everything else is loose, but the front bolts refuse to let go.

Any thoughts

[sacook]

Gary,

I feel for you. Had the same thing happen to me last year when I was pulling my engine out to send to Jake Raby.

I sprayed liquid wrench and applied heat till the cows came home but they wouldn't budge.

I was getting into a time crunch so I just took a cutting wheel to the bracket, OUCH!!! Luckly I had a spare, so I don't reccommend my inapproiate behavior.

I'm sure someone here has a better approach.. hehe but keep soaking and heating.

Good luck..... it's never easy..... these 914's

Steve

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

GABH. Get A Bigger Hammer.

Part of the problem likely has to do with the angle the bolts are taking inside the hole in the mount. So you may need to loosen where the rubber mounts in the middle fasten to the bar--or just remove the nuts completely.

You may be able to turn the other end of the nut/bolt assembly and spin them out that way. Aero Kroyl is your friend, as is a hammer. Spray both ends of the bolt, then smack the bar with a hammer. The vibrations can help the penetrating oil wick into the stuck fastener.

You may also be able to reach through the hole in the engine tin where the heater's J-tube goes, and get something like a pickle fork (or a chisel, but the fork will stay put better!) on top of the bar. Hit the end with a hammer, and you may start the bar moving downward. I'm not quite certain of the geometry of this, though... I don't have a car in front of me to visualise it.

Remember to securely support the engine and trans while you do this!!!!

--DD

[synthesis]

Me too,

Ended up having to pound the hell out of it with a 20lb sledge hammer.

I was able to wedge a 2x4 through the engine lid to the top of the crossbar. It took some major blows to free it. I'm glad it was the parts car because I missed a couple time and hit the bodywork.

dr

[sacook]

WOW... Big Hammer and a 2x4... actually pretty cool.

Wish I had thought of the 2x4 thingy.... but then again I would have probally missed the 2x4 and caused MASSIVE damage.

Great idea though... I'm gonna put it in the back of the old brain box.

Steve

[SGomes]

I too had the same problem!!! Got out the sawz-all after about an hour of pounding and and cussing... I have to say it was VERY gratifying....I've wanted to use the sawz-all on more than one occasion but restraint kept me back.

[GaryTodd]

I'm thinking the torch to the sheet metal around the mounts will work wonders.... especially since it is a parts car

[lmcchesney]

Synthesis,
That picture is a classic. I think we should send it to all new 914er's as part of their tools required list.
L. McChesney

[synthesis]

and don't forget the sawzall and a 6-pack

dr