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DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: derek9702 on December 06, 2008, 05:18:01 PM

Title: Oil pan removal
Post by: derek9702 on December 06, 2008, 05:18:01 PM

I am in the process of taking off my oil pan and was wondering if anyone has used the crank pulley as a support when pulling the subframe.  Is it better to use one of those engine supports and connect it to the motor mounts?  Also, is there a way to do this without pulling the subframe

Title: Don't Do It!
Post by: JP 91iS on December 07, 2008, 08:30:22 AM

Don't use the crank pulley as a place to support the engine!  It is definitely far better to support the engine at the mounts or from the upper mounting point.  There is a ring on the front/top of the engine that you can use to hook the engine to a cherry picker or support bar.

I don't know if you have a Harbor Freight near you, but I picked up one of these engine support bars (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96524).  It was $50 and works great.

Title: Oil pan removal
Post by: ak96ss on December 07, 2008, 08:38:48 AM

Quote from: JP 91iS;62387

Don't use the crank pulley as a place to support the engine!  It is definitely far better to support the engine at the mounts or from the upper mounting point.  There is a ring on the front/top of the engine that you can use to hook the engine to a cherry picker or support bar.

I don't know if you have a Harbor Freight near you, but I picked up one of these engine support bars (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96524).  It was $50 and works great.

How does that support bar work - it braces on the fenders and holds the engine in place? I may have to get one of those....

Title: Oil pan removal
Post by: JP 91iS on December 07, 2008, 01:16:14 PM

Quote from: ak96ss;62388

How does that support bar work - it braces on the fenders and holds the engine in place? I may have to get one of those....

Kenika65 has one:
(http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm216/kenika65/lift.jpg?t=1215468014)


It just rests on the fenders and you hang the engine from it.  I saw a drawing of one in the E36 Bentley too.  In this picture it looks like he dropped chains down around the motor mounts.  Depending on what I'm doing, I usually just attach it to the top/front hook ring.

Title: Oil pan removal
Post by: derek9702 on December 07, 2008, 03:00:07 PM

I completed the removal without an engine support, as I could not find one locally and wanted to get it done today.  After scratching my head for a while, trying to make one out of a 4x4 and come alongs, not very stable, I was able to put the car on stands and use a section of 4x4 and a floor jack.  I placed the 4x4 under the transmission, in the bell housing area, and was able to support it.  I then dropped the subframe and pulled the pan.  Thanks for all of the input.

Title: Oil pan removal
Post by: KenC on December 07, 2008, 08:21:40 PM

I just used a deadman jack right on the bellhousing.