Oil pan gasket replacement tools

[Bukowski]

What tools would you get to do your oil pan gasket? The engine bar thing that sits on the fender? What about Shop crane? Etc.?

I've seen a lot of tools - professional and DIY - to hold the engine etc. for the oil pan gasket replacement.

[John_AZ]

Maybe this is a start....
Rod Bearing replacement and preparation PART 1

If you change the oil pan gasket----the rod bearings are only a little more work.

J_AZ

[RM512]

1000 Lb. Capacity Engine Support Bar

[Bukowski]

John_AZ - thank you for your writeup!

RM512, reading my mind...

What about using two engine supports - would that help? What do I use to attach it - the straps like John_AZ says? Those at Harbor Freight?

Would this thing help?

2 Ton Capacity Underhoist Safety Stand

.... I'm wondering about keeping the weight off the fenders somehow. Our man Jüergen has a spiffy setup in his engine mount video, but it's elusive how to find those materials....

[jtehfreaks]

The 1000 Lb engine support from Harbor Freight will hold your engine no problem, it comes with two chains; I bought the same thing myself for this job and there is no damage to the fenders. If you plan on doing the rod bearings, you'll need a 24mm socket to turn the engine by hand, unless you use something to turn the flywheel (I ended up using an old wooden broom stick).

Other things to check while you're in there:
- engine mounts
- tie rod ends
- all 8 bushings on the sway bar

If your power steering rack needs work, this is a good time to get it done as you'll have to get it out of the way to change the oil pan gasket. Might as well do a rebuild of the ball joints on the control arms too; it's not a tough job by any means, and your stock ones might be shattered on the inside like mine were.

[Bukowski]

You're lookin' at the proud new owner of the HF engine support.

What now? What do I use - nylon straps? One of those scary hooks? How's it attach?

How heavy is the engine?

What am I looking for when I test the support out?
Does Clark's have the tie rod how-to?

[jtehfreaks]

The support should come with two chains; loop the chains through the engine hook-up points, there's one in the front and one at the back of the engine, they're metal rings. Here's a pic of the support being used on the car with just the front hook-up; notice how the support is sitting on the fender area. The second pic shows a home-made support, but more importantly, it shows the chain going through both the front and back hoist locations; this should tell you enough to get the support on and route the two chains (they're small, so you'll need one chain per hook-up area).

Once you've gotten the chains looped through the hook-ups, loop them on the hooks that descend from the support bar and start to turn the handle to put tension on the chain. When both areas have tension, you'll be good remove the cross-member and get to replacing that gasket. When you remove the cross-member, it's a good idea the first support it from below with a jack and a piece of wood to spread the weight, undo the bolts, and slowly lower it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/TechnoDuck/My%201988%20Porsche%20944%20Turbo/IMG_7828.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/TechnoDuck/Porsche%20944%20Articles/100_0562.jpg

Here's a pic of my cross-member removed when I did this job several weeks ago. The jack really made moving it out of the way pretty easy. Also note how easy a motor mount swap is from here, if you need it.

https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/16825748_10158291777105080_8879877198810103775_o.j pg?oh=94923dbbd88e154a2d27e05ca9c38907&oe=594F9837

[Bukowski]

Thank you!

[Bukowski]

couple questions:
1.
will a strap like this 3300 lb. capacity 2X27 tie down strap be OK to hold the engine:

https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/tie-downs/3300-lb-capacity-2-in-x-27-ft-heavy-duty-ratcheting-tie-down-1-pc-60689.html

2. will it be at all easier to use two engine support bars, one for the rear, one in front?

[Techno Duck]

That strap will be fine and is even over kill. The engine isn't more than 400lbs fully dressed and remember, its hanging off the torque tube on the back so the support bar is holding even less than that. Also you only need to use the front lifting eye, no need to use the rear also.

Some pictures that may help you. This was on my turbo but the n/a is pretty much the same.

https://rennlist.com/forums/944-turbo-and-turbo-s-forum/632754-rod-bearing-and-lower-balance-shaft-reseal-pictorial.html

[Bukowski]

Thank you Techno Duck for alerting me to your very interesting write up, and the interesting comments.

[Bukowski]

Dumb question:

Will a 944 fit on the Harbor Freight 12 ton jack stands?