Clearance for engine drop

[zippy_gg]

Has anyone measured the clearance required to drop the engine (my car is an 86 cab)?
Assume the airbox and heater fan assembly removed and rear bumper still on(but removed if needed).
Of course the type hydraulic jack or table will make a difference too.
Just wondering ballpark out of curiosity. I have read many thread on engine drops but do not recall seeing a measurement.
TIA

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Have you taken a look at our engine removal DIY? There aren't measurements, but it might be useful and shows you images of the process. You can also post a comment at the bottom of it and our tech might have some input for you. Hopefully some other Pelicans chime in with some advice as well. Good luck!

Porsche 911 Engine Removal | 911 (1965-89) - 930 Turbo (1975-89) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

[T77911S]

if it helps I use the 6 ton jacks from harbor freight. I think I set them as hi as they will go or close to it and put them under the rear torsion bar ends.
I use a pretty tall tranny jack and may have left the IC on my 930 engine last time and still had to drop the front of the car down (with no wheels) and I had the bumper off.
BUT, again, I have very tall tranny jack I use. I have never been able to get a tranny out from under a car with one on the jack except for my daughters F250.

[will hung]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

Has anyone measured the clearance required to drop the engine (my car is an 86 cab)?
Assume the airbox and heater fan assembly removed and rear bumper still on(but removed if needed).
Of course the type hydraulic jack or table will make a difference too.
Just wondering ballpark out of curiosity. I have read many thread on engine drops but do not recall seeing a measurement.
TIA

It's been 5 years, so I'm a little foggy, but when I measured mine, I'm thinking it was in the ball park of 30 inches that's with CIS and may or may not have included the jack.

For the most accuracy for your situation, you should just get a level/straight edge combo, set it up at the top of the engine compartment opening, and measure from that point to the bottom of the bumper. Add the height of whatever apparatus you are using to lower the engine and you have your requirement.

Originally I had used a harbor freight hydraulic table and it added to much height that by the time I lifted my car as high as my jack could, I still had to remove my rear bumper.

When I pulled it last year, I used one of the jacks and replicas of the factory drivetrain carriers you can buy from our host and I didn't need to pull the bumper.

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by Luccia at Pelican Parts

Have you taken a look at our engine removal DIY? There aren't measurements, but it might be useful and shows you images of the process. You can also post a comment at the bottom of it and our tech might have some input for you. Hopefully some other Pelicans chime in with some advice as well. Good luck!

Porsche 911 Engine Removal | 911 (1965-89) - 930 Turbo (1975-89) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

Thank you Lucia, I have read many posts and the tech articles before asking the question.
Also this is not my first drop.
I just wanted to document and maybe do a write-up at the end.

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by T77911S

if it helps I use the 6 ton jacks from harbor freight. I think I set them as hi as they will go or close to it and put them under the rear torsion bar ends.
I use a pretty tall tranny jack and may have left the IC on my 930 engine last time and still had to drop the front of the car down (with no wheels) and I had the bumper off.
BUT, again, I have very tall tranny jack I use. I have never been able to get a tranny out from under a car with one on the jack except for my daughters F250.

Good call on removing the front wheels to be able to raise the back even more. Question: how do you secure the car so it doesn't fall forward? Just jacks?
I understand your challenge with the IC still in place.

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by will hung

It's been 5 years, so I'm a little foggy, but when I measured mine, I'm thinking it was in the ball park of 30 inches that's with CIS and may or may not have included the jack.

For the most accuracy for your situation, you should just get a level/straight edge combo, set it up at the top of the engine compartment opening, and measure from that point to the bottom of the bumper. Add the height of whatever apparatus you are using to lower the engine and you have your requirement.

Originally I had used a harbor freight hydraulic table and it added to much height that by the time I lifted my car as high as my jack could, I still had to remove my rear bumper.

When I pulled it last year, I used one of the jacks and replicas of the factory drivetrain carriers you can buy from our host and I didn't need to pull the bumper.

Very good suggestions. I'll have to take measurements after the car is put back together.
The ATV lift I am using is from HF and is approximately 5 1/4 inches tall. I haven't figured out what amount of lumber I need to add, if any.
Your figure of about 30 inches seems reasonable.
Thank you!

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

Thank you Lucia, I have read many posts and the tech articles before asking the question.
Also this is not my first drop.
I just wanted to document and maybe do a write-up at the end.

We're always looking for member write ups for a procedure. If you do happen to document it, take a look at the link below. If we publish your article, we'll give you credit and 10% off your next order. Please let us know if you have any questions!

Enthusiast Tech Article Submissions - Pelican Parts

[juanbenae]

about this high actually I use the taller of my two sets of jack stands on cinder blocks. also, as you can see it's best to have a jack on either side and go up & down just a jack stand click at a time.

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by juanbenae

about this high actually I use the taller of my two sets of jack stands on cinder blocks. also, as you can see it's best to have a jack on either side and go up & down just a jack stand click at a time.

Sweet!
Would you happen to have a photo of the front end?
I am curious about how the front wheels are chocked and if the front valence hits the ground.
Thanks!

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

Thank you Lucia, I have read many posts and the tech articles before asking the question.
Also this is not my first drop.
I just wanted to document and maybe do a write-up at the end.

If you do document and do a write up I bet we would love to add it to our article - additional info for our articles is always a great resource. You can shoot me the info once you're done or you can post it as a comment at the bottom of the article.

[walt]

I just removed my engine and the bottom of the torsion bar is 26" from floor level. I used an ATV jack to slide the engine out.

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by walt

I just removed my engine and the bottom of the torsion bar is 26" from floor level. I used an ATV jack to slide the engine out.

Thanks Walt!

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by Luccia at Pelican Parts

If you do document and do a write up I bet we would love to add it to our article - additional info for our articles is always a great resource. You can shoot me the info once you're done or you can post it as a comment at the bottom of the article.

I think there are good articles, so I would just add details to complement the existing material, i.e. checklist and bolt size.

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

Sweet!
Would you happen to have a photo of the front end?
I am curious about how the front wheels are chocked and if the front valence hits the ground.
Thanks!

no pic of the front. simply chocked with wood blocks. the valence was likely making contact with the ground but since it's a middie no fog lights to be concerned with. picking the front end up is counter productive to getting the rear high enough if you had not already figured that out. if the valence is a concern id consider a couple of 2x6's under the front wheels to pick it up some would prolly keep from grounding it.

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by juanbenae

no pic of the front. simply chocked with wood blocks. the valence was likely making contact with the ground but since it's a middie no fog lights to be concerned with. picking the front end up is counter productive to getting the rear high enough if you had not already figured that out. if the valence is a concern id consider a couple of 2x6's under the front wheels to pick it up some would prolly keep from grounding it.

My car has the fog lights and no mods to the body, either in height or bumpers, etc... I have 2x6 left over from putting the car on a trailer when I moved cross-country.
Funny how much low-tech lumber we use with our classic cars!