supporting engine for k member swap?
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Launching!
Joined: Oct 2009
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supporting engine for k member swap? hey guys, just wondering what is the best way to hold the engine up with a engine hoist? I'm changing out the k member and doing headers while i have it out so the motor will be hanging for a few days. really dont want to have to remove the intake or anything as this will just mean more time and gaskets and a PITA... is there a good place to reliably throw a couple bolts in that will take the weight??
I used some straps and some small plates I cut out. bolted the plates to the front 2 header bolts and used ratchet straps from the barn rafters.
Also used a strap and same plates with astrut tower brace and did things that way with a jack/block of wood under the pan to help.
maybe not the best or safest way to do it but it worked
Also used a strap and same plates with astrut tower brace and did things that way with a jack/block of wood under the pan to help.
maybe not the best or safest way to do it but it worked
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Oct 2009
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I appretiate the replies but this method doesnt work for me either since i'm installing headers while the k member is out.. and i really dont wanna work around a floor jack holding the motor up plus i just dont trust those things for any more than a couple minutes. I have an engine hoist availible. is there not an easy way to just bolt it to thbe motor without using header bolts?
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 235
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From: Lebanon TN
If your using a hoist and chain, Take a 4 intake bolts out and get some longer ones so the chain will fit under them. Standard bolts from tractor supply will thread in fine, I think they are 3/8 but i'm not sure. You will want to re-torque all the bolts in the proper sequence of course
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Oct 2009
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Just took another look... seems like i could use the front 4 bolts on the intake but ill have to remove a bunch of the varius stuff bolted on around that area. also noticed the nut is missing off the stud second back on the passenger side :S seems the chains will be against the fuel rails if i do this.. hope nothing gets bent.. any way to chain to the front of the motor? since the tranny mount will still hold everything "steady"
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Also if you use a cherry picker you can remove the coil and use a longer bolt and then the same size bolt on the back of the passenger side head...
Matt
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Launching!
Joined: Oct 2009
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ok so since i have a home made strut bar thats beefier than anything you can buy, lets go that direction. Best way to suspend the motor from the strut bar??? ratchet straps maybe? these motors just have so much sh*t in the way compared to what im used to. really dont want to over look and break anything. its a daily driver so i can't afford anymore than the couple days it will be down. sorry if this stuff seems basic to some of you but i just plain don't have a lot of experience. thanks again for the help
They rent an adjustable beams at some parts houses that sit on the strut towers when pulling the sub-frames off of FWD cars. Rental is free, pay for it up front and return it for a full refund.
Why not just take a couple of phone books on a jack and put it on the tranny pan/bellhousing? Couldn't be on there for too long. I had my m6 jacked up from the case for about 3 weeks 
If the k-member can be done in a rather short time, I would likely do it this way.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Oct 2009
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i was going to just use a jack but since i decided to do headers i figure i might as well take it slow and double/triple check everything as its a high mileage car and i want to take a ton of pictures along the way. I plan on posting alot of these pictures just to help others with there builds as these mods can be intimidating for the first time.
There's yer pic. I wrapped ratchet straps around the exhaust headers. I did the same on the '99 with the stock exhaust manifolds.
I would suggest you leave the stock manifolds in place so you can do the K-Frame swap like this. After you've installed the new K-Frame, your new headers will slip in pretty easily. Cinch up the straps a bunch but you're not trying to lift the engine. When undoing the motor mounts and droping the frame, the enigne ain't going anywhere. You are dropping the oil pan to have a look around, right?
I would suggest you leave the stock manifolds in place so you can do the K-Frame swap like this. After you've installed the new K-Frame, your new headers will slip in pretty easily. Cinch up the straps a bunch but you're not trying to lift the engine. When undoing the motor mounts and droping the frame, the enigne ain't going anywhere. You are dropping the oil pan to have a look around, right?
Last edited by Paul Bell; Feb 15, 2011 at 09:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 247
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There's yer pic. I wrapped ratchet straps around the exhaust headers. I did the same on the '99 with the stock exhaust manifolds.
I would suggest you leave the stock manifolds in place so you can do the K-Frame swap like this. After you've installed the new K-Frame, your new headers will slip in pretty easily. Cinch up the straps a bunch but you're not trying to lift the engine. When undoing the motor mounts and droping the frame, the enigne ain't going anywhere. You are dropping the oil pan to have a look around, right?
I would suggest you leave the stock manifolds in place so you can do the K-Frame swap like this. After you've installed the new K-Frame, your new headers will slip in pretty easily. Cinch up the straps a bunch but you're not trying to lift the engine. When undoing the motor mounts and droping the frame, the enigne ain't going anywhere. You are dropping the oil pan to have a look around, right?
