HF Engine Support Bar Comments?

[OK-944]

Can't say exactly when I'll need this...but I'd like the ability to support my engine from the top so that I can pull stuff off the bottom (cross member, oil pan, rod bearings, etc.) - and I'm looking at the Harbor Freight engine support bar. Seems very simple and sounds like it does the job.

I already have an engine crane, but for the specific purpose of messing with bottom components, I like the idea of the support bar.

But I'm wondering how folks using the HF support bar deal with the offset nature of the engine's existing engine support attachment points - seeing as how these are located on quite a different axis than the support bar's attachment points. Anyone?

[dme]

I got HF support when I did the oil pan gasket, rod bearings...and everything else while I was in there. I used the existing attachment points and they did not take it well at all. I believe I had to straighten them out when I was done. I should have taken my time and worked out a better solution, but I was hankering to get it done.

[OK-944]

With lots of lumber around from various projects...and along with some threaded rod and associated hardware bits - it should be fairly straightforward to fabricate a sturdy, "custom fitted" engine support. Won't likely do this for awhile - but I'll post some photos when its done.

[Matt at Pelican Parts]

Have you looked into the Schwaben bars? It also hold 1000lbs. Yes, it costs more than the HF brand but it has loads more adjustment and four points of contact to help keep everything sturdy. A worthwhile investment for future projects as well

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/PEL009595SCH01A.htm?pn=PEL-009595SCH01A&bt=Y&fs=0&SVSVSI=1048

[wwdwgs]

I second DME - one of hooks will bend, depending how far the Support Bar is. The chains must lift engine straight up, otherwise the hooks will bend.

[universeman]

I bought mine at NAPA and am pleased with price and quality, seems a bit better than HF but I don't have the HF one so I can't be certain. Works well on 968 though and I never felt weird being under the motor while it was hanging from the bar.

[Jfrahm]

I just used scrap wood, I think the bar is overkill unless you are doing a lot of cars. Doing engine mounts on my 928 one of these days and plan to use scrap wood.

[walfreyydo]

The HF bar works great. The issue is that its really only needed for one specific job: oil pan/rod bearings/mounts. I used mine once and havent had a need for it again for my 944. Although its not a bad tool to have if you have other cars or projects you work on. There are many options for attaching the support chains - any beefy bolt into the engine block should work as long as they are spaced and balance the engine correctly.

[OK-944]

My concern here is that the HF unit looks to be best for transverse-mounted engines, while I'd like something which allows the main support bar to be better aligned with the 944 engine lift rings. Otherwise, I would think that orienting two chains diagonally, in opposite directions, would tend to stress the HF unit's attachment hooks. I'd feel much safer with bar mounted lifting points oriented either exactly above the engine lift points (or at least closer than I gather the HF unit would allow), also knowing that using the established engine lift points would offer a known good balance. But maybe I'm overthinking this?

And I could see finding possible engine lift points oriented more transversely...like maybe wrap chains around the engine mount frames on each side - and then hoping that this lifting orientation would be close enough to "balanced," so it would not put undue stress on the torque tube to bell housing joint...which I would think might be another concern if the balance were significantly off. But then again...that joint seems pretty solid, so maybe this would not be an issue?

[walfreyydo]

HF unit wont be an issue as many of us have said. Attaching the chain to any beefy bolt or point on the block should work fine. I attached mine to the hook/loop near the cam tower and the other hook loop near the front timing cover/intake manifold (but mine is different since its a 3.0). Just make sure its balanced and secure. The attachment to the torque tube also provides some balancing force as well so its not 100% critical.