Front subframe removal....engine support ???s

[///M3Mike]

So I have a 1-car garage....not ideal but it keeps the M out of the elements and away from my idiot neighbors.  I bought my 318is with the intention of upgrading it slowly.  It was well taken care of with basic maintenance, but not enthusiast owned so bushings and mounts are worn.  It's in my garage waiting for my compressor to get returned to me, so I can install the new suspension I bought for it.  I figure while it's up on jackstands, I'll do some maintenance I had been intending to do and beef up a couple things.  Long story short, engine mounts are being replaced, and I bought a subframe reinforcement kit from Turner.  There was some paint chipping, so I figured I'd go ahead and nip that in the bud, and I may auto-x it someday, to boot.  I have new oil pan gaskets and this will be as good a time as any to take care of that and I may just go ahead and buy the z3 steering rack I had my eye on.  

Enough backstory....my question is this....I don't have room in my garage for an engine hoist, so I don't know exactly how to support the engine while all this is going on.  How best could I go about making sure my engine is well-supported while I'm getting all this stuff done?  Is an engine support bar adequate for this job??

Thanks.

[bmwman91]

I have used a floor jack under the oil pan to remove the upper pan, as well as replace the mounts.  As long as the oil pan is supporting ONLY the engine, it is fine.  make sure you put a big slab of wood on the jack so it uses the whole pan bottom, not just part of it.  That could be trouble.

[///M3Mike]

I have used a floor jack under the oil pan to remove the upper pan, as well as replace the mounts.  As long as the oil pan is supporting ONLY the engine, it is fine.  make sure you put a big slab of wood on the jack so it uses the whole pan bottom, not just part of it.  That could be trouble.

Where did you support it in order to get the upper pan off?  Also, my friend with the welder may not be able to get to it right away, and I'm not sure I want my engine supported by the jack for that long, just in case.  It could have to remain in this position for a couple weeks

[bmwman91]

LOL, I just realized that I said I jacked it under the oil pan to remove the pan.  Oops.

When I did the upper pan, I rented an engine hoist for a day.  I put some chain around the driver's side engine mount arm and lifted there.  Alternatively, you could get some chain & bolts and use the 2 steel tabs up on top to lift the whole deal.  Be careful though, you cannot lift it too much without disconnecting a lot of stuff.  You should be able ot get the upper pan out, just barely.  I had to turn the crankshaft as well to get the throws/counterweights sitting horizontally...they get in the way when vertical.

[gearheadE30]

If you are going to support it by the oil pan, make sure that the pan doesn't have any hairline cracks. Mine looked fine from the outside, but when I took it off to replace the gasket, I discovered that there were cracks around all of the major angles. Put a jack under that and i bet the pan would shatter.

[///M3Mike]

Thanks for the tips.  I think I'm going to be able to borrow a hoist from a friend's brother.  Guess I gotta do some re-arranging of my garage...and maybe have my ass-end hanging out the end of the garage for a week or so