Engine drop - a few queries

Flat 6 · Post by **Flat 6** » Sat Nov 08, 2014 9:17 am

Morning all,

OK, time for the real dismantling to start!

I'm starting with the engine since it has to be done anyway and will make the car lighter to push around!

So, a few queries:

1. any general hints or tips above and beyond the general instructions (will be following the Pelican tech article closely)

2. when it hits the floor, presumably it can't just be allowed to sit on the heat exchangers? I have nice SSIs there! Is it just a case for a new wooden blocks under block, gearbox and balancing pieces under the heat exchangers but no weight there?

3. how many people will I need to lift engine and gearbox as one piece into a trailer? I have negotiated the use of a vehicle lift which should make the overall job much easier that it was going to be in my garage!

4. can someone recommend the best larger volume oil drain container - to date I have been using multiple old 5 litre containers with holes in but that can get messy and I'm sick of the faffing around

Thanks for continued help!

Al.

911hillclimber · Post by **911hillclimber** » Sat Nov 08, 2014 1:17 pm

I've had mine out a lot of time over the years, and sitting on the exchangers has been fine, just be gentle. DO NOT let the engine drop! I don't think you were serious? Lack of care and it will drop and you had better not be under it...
Buy a drain catch tank minimum of 10 litres.
I have a 15 and a 5, big one for the dry sump tank (the most oil is in there) and the smaller for the engine block sump, eb@y etc will sort those out.
The engine and box are very heavy, minimum of 3 good rugby players or 4 weedy ones.
Simplest is to hire an engine hoist, about £30, saves a lot of staining in the wrong places.

Take your time and keep looking for things that are still connected before the engine gets out of the chassis. You need to jack the rear valance of the car up by at least 26".
Normal 'Halfords' axle stands will not get the car up that far if placed under the torsion bar covers.

Flat 6 · Post by **Flat 6** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 9:51 am

Don't worry! Words like 'drop' and 'hit' should be read as 'remove and lower gently'!!

I have the use of a full car lift in the local technical college (where I'm starting a 6-month course in restoration in Jan). I intend to lower the engine onto blocks and then make use of some muscle to manhandle the engine and gearbox into a trailer for transportation home where it will be bolted onto an engine stand for cleaning/detailing.

Looking forward to this, my first engine removal after nearly 20 years of 911 ownership!

Al.

sladey · Post by **sladey** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 10:00 am

Enjoy it - it's quite a moment when you finally get it out and clear - make sure you take the obligatory photo standing in the engine bay

I did rest mine on the heat exchangers (on MDC on top of blocks) - I reasoned that you are exerting pressure back into the heads via the exhaust pipes - I.e. You're not resting it in a position that's trying to pull stuff apart

I'd second the point about keeping an eye out as you're slowly lowering the engine

Nige did a nice post somewhere setting the procedure out re jacks etc

Basically

Empty oil
Jack up and support onto axle stands
Support engine with your main jack. Put a trolley or something under gearbox end
Undo everything
Slowly lower
Use second smaller jack on floor pan just forward of gearbox to lift the car off it
Slide out on main Jack and trolley

Gary71 · Post by **Gary71** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 10:13 am

Take the gearbox off the engine before you move it to make it easier to handle. It will have to come off later anyway.

myatt1972 · Post by **myatt1972** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 9:12 pm

Cobble a trolley together so you can get the jack in and out, it made life easy for me.

Berny · Post by **Berny** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 9:19 pm

After you have drained the oil disconect the parts in and under the car leave the top bits to last, except the gear box mount of cause

Flat 6 · Post by **Flat 6** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:01 pm

Success!

That was much easier than I thought it would be. Time will tell how good my notes and photos are when I go to put it back in again!

Al.

Gary71 · Post by **Gary71** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 4:00 pm

Excellent! It's cheating using a big ramp

911hillclimber · Post by **911hillclimber** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 5:22 pm

A ramp like that would be a dream come true...

And space like that even more so...

sladey · Post by **sladey** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 6:17 pm

It's a great feeling though isn't it

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redrobin911 · Post by **redrobin911** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 11:44 pm

HI Al - only picking up on this thread now.

Engine out as you've now found out isn't that difficult - hard work and many more hours than you thought possible start now. Call me regarding parts and come over to have a look.

Good luck as things progress.

DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker