Motor support?

What is the name of the motor support/lift/hoist/whatever that can be used to support the motor from above, and mounts to the strut towers and radiator support? I have seen pictures in the past, but I have tried every search term I can think of, and can't find it. Where can you buy one, and do they allow you to lift the motor at all, or do they just hold it in place?

Thanks,
Steve

Steve...

I literally use a 4x4

^^^ same.

with some chains.

don't forget the bolts Nick.

or some thicker straps.

either way, you dont need the braces that the shops use.

I know the brace isn't strictly necessary, I just wasn't sure if it had any lifting/hoisting capabilities, even if only a few inches. I need to do the oil pan gasket, and was hoping to do it without dropping the subframe.

Bill, do you have a picture of the 4x4 in use? Does it go tower to tower, or radiator support to firewall, or...? I'm sure it won't, but every way I'm thinking of it seems like it might slip, or roll or some such. Which is of course an unpleasant thought if my head is underneath at the time.

You don't need to support the engine from above to change the oilpan. You can jack it up via the tranny pan (with a piece of wood on your jack so you don't dent the pan) - don't forget to disconnect the mounts.

I don't think dropping the subframe really improves the access to the oilpan. The three biggest PITA bolts are the ones that hold the motor mount u-bracket to the side of the block. With the tranny connected to the bell-housing, there is about 2" of room to get a wrench in there. Expect about 30 min per bolt (you can rotate about 15* at a time, getting them tapped during reinstallation is 2x harder), lots of hand cramps, and lots of f-bombs.

Once you get this bracket loose, it's relatively smooth sailing.

Do both motor, and trans mounts need to be undone, or just the motor mounts? Last time I did the motor mount and jacket from the trans pan, the passenger axle was at a really steep angle. I'm going to be changing that this time anyways, so I'm not worried about that, but if the trans mount stays connected will I be able to get the clearance to get the pan out?

I have pics...somewhere...lol

Take a look around transmission album in my photobucket account

ID: BillBoost37
psd: Boosted (cap that B )

I just checked all of the trans albums and didn't see anything showing the motor being supported, excep in one it was on a hoist. Any other album it might be in?

Take loose the trans and motor mounts AND dogbones, jack it up from the transpan, and you will have clearance to remove the oil pan.

How high up do I need to get the motor? If I get it high enough for the mount bracket to clear the motor mount(and remove the bracket of course) is that high enough, or does it need to go higher?

Your killin me Smalls



Just because you don't see it everyday

Yeah, I ended up finding it after a while, and forgot to come back and say something. I wasn't looking in the sub-albums originally, just the main Transmission album.

Is this method used when dropping trans? Ive never seen this.

Yeah Tom.. you getting ready for a trans rebuild?

No sir not yet thank god.

I think I'm just going to drop the sub frame rather than try to jack up the motor since I'm doing the passenger axle at the same time and have to disconnect that control arm. It's just what, one more control arm, steering rack, and a few electrical connectors/hold downs?

What do the subframe bolts get torqued back to when it is reinstalled. Also, how heavy is it? I'm going to be on my own for this, and have only one jack.

I've done both and I think jacking up the trans is easier.

the subframe is about ~80lb when you drop it. Be careful not to ruin your grease zerks on your BJ's assuming they point down.