'83 944 Engine Removal

[dustinhu]

I've been following the steps on clarks-garage to pull the engine from my 944. I am almost ready to drop it out the bottom of the vehicle.
My question is Clarks' says to put a engine hoist on the motor to presumably hold it before removing the cross section, etc. and dropping it out the bottom using a floor jack.
I don't have an engine hoist so I'm wondering it if this is really necessary or by simply having the floor jack under the engine holding it in place while I'm removing the cross section, etc. is that ok?
Am I missing something?

Thanks,
Dusitn

[mikepellegrini]

I'm confused. You're gonna use a floor jack to lower the engine? Or just the cross member?

The engine is weirdly shaped and has no good center of gravity - PLUS - the oil pan is fragile. For those reasons, I wouldn't attempt to use a floor jack to lower the engine to the floor.

If you did use a floor jack, I foresee a hole in your oil pan or an engine that falls off and damages something in your future.

If you don't have a hoist, they're available at most tool rental places for fairly cheap. I suspect trying to make do with a jack could end up being a very expensive substitution.

If you're talking about using a jack to just lower the cross member, that's cool. You don't have to use a jack, but it helps because the cross member is fairly heavy.

But you do need to have a hoist.

[alan6272]

I have read and seen pictures of people leaving the engine attached to the cross member and using the floor jack. But I would "if I were you" rent an engine hoist then lower the motor.This is how I do the engines that go out the bottom.

[dustinhu]

Thanks guys. Renting one makes sense. I just didn't want to buy one and have to store it forever

[jeffrsmith]

When you are ready to drop the engine/cross member put peg board on the ground with the shiny side up, then put a piece of carpet pile side down on the peg board, lower the engine/cross member onto the carpet then pull the assembly from under the car. The carpet/peg board makes an easy job of getting it from under the car.

[dustinhu]

Great tip, thanks!

[mhariush]

I was able to find a coupon for an engine hoist from harbor freight for $100. the coupons are out there, just have to google a bit. It fold up and becomes fairly small for storage... And you want it when you're installing the engine again...

[petrolhead611]

Leave the cross-member attached to the engine mounts and lower the engine using a crane( anything less is dangerous) to the floor thus. Prior to so doing, ensure that you have sufficient clearance, 25.5 inches on a 924S, to get the engine out from under the car. I lowered the x-member onto a sheet of tri-wall poly sheet(cheap roofing sheet) to facilitate sliding the engine out. Have some wood bocks handy to chock the engine firmly once out from under the car.