Engine removal

[Newsguy]

I will be replacing an engine (again, don't ask) and would like some input.
I have a 2-post lift and the last time I used a friend's hydraulic lift table. The shortcoming is that it only goes up a little over two feet and it's capacity is only 500 pounds.
This time, I would like to take the engine and trans out as a unit.
What are you using to do this?
Thanks!

[78F350]

I'm cheap. I use a HF motorcycle jack with a 3/4" plywood bed and some scrap 2x4 pieces for shoring. I have a rolling jack that I use for adjusting tilt and correcting balance as it comes down and away from the car. It is not optimal, but for slow and incremental drop/lift of the drivetrain it works.

Remove the handle:

[maytag]

Originally Posted by 78F350

I'm cheap. I use a HF motorcycle jack with a 3/4" plywood bed and some scrap 2x4 pieces for shoring. I have a rolling jack that I use for adjusting tilt and correcting balance as it comes down and away from the car. It is not optimal, but for slow and incremental drop/lift of the drivetrain it works.

Remove the handle:

same method I use. Once I had a friend loan me some fancy-schmancy tools that support the engine from a crossbeam across the opening..... I didn't use them.

[Newsguy]

Great! That's a lot better than their table lift at $229.
It just isn't very high, but having that much weight a lot higher might be a problem anyway.
Thank you.

[78F350]

If you need it a little more height, consider some 4x4" or similar wood blocks. I keep some around the garage that are 8" to 24" long and they come in handy for lots of things Once you lower the jack, you can pull them out to lower the engine further.

[maytag]

Originally Posted by 78F350

If you need it a little more height, consider some 4x4" or similar wood blocks. I keep some around the garage that are 8" to 24" long and they come in handy for lots of things Once you lower the jack, you can pull them out to lower the engine further.

Once again; "Ditto".
I bet our garages look a lot alike! haha (Except I have fewer Boxsters than you do )

[Quadcammer]

I've done it on a 2 post and a scissor lift, both with the 1000lb harbor freight lift table. You seem to dislike yours, but for me it was the absolute best purchase ever.

[NewArt]

Originally Posted by maytag

same method I use. Once I had a friend loan me some fancy-schmancy tools that support the engine from a crossbeam across the opening..... I didn't use them.

I actually have that cross beam and have used it when dropping an engine. I find it quite useful for supporting and maintaining the balance of the engine/trans. Wouldn't it be great if we all lived in the same region: we could borrow and swap tools all the time. I have way too many tools!

[Qingdao]

I used a HF engine lift with a long chain. Hooked the engine from the top and lowered it to a creeper on the floor. Longer boom might have helped but the cheapo hoist did the trick.



^^^looks closer to the side of the car than it is.

[78F350]

Originally Posted by maytag

Once again; "Ditto".
I bet our garages look a lot alike! haha (Except I have fewer Boxsters than you do )

I hope that your garage is bigger than mine and a lot less cluttered. I expect that Ferrari needs some personal space.

[itsnotanova]

I've used a floor jack, I've used a motorcycle jack and I've used a table jack to remove a motor and transmission out of a 986 and 996. Hands down the table jack is far better than the other two.

[tonythetiger]

Originally Posted by Newsguy

I will be replacing an engine (again, don't ask) and would like some input.
I have a 2-post lift and the last time I used a friend's hydraulic lift table. The shortcoming is that it only goes up a little over two feet and it's capacity is only 500 pounds.
This time, I would like to take the engine and trans out as a unit.
What are you using to do this?
Thanks!

well, now I gotta to ask...why are you replacing an engine again?
come forth
:+)

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by itsnotanova

I've used a floor jack, I've used a motorcycle jack and I've used a table jack to remove a motor and transmission out of a 986 and 996. Hands down the table jack is far better than the other two.

I combined a table jack along with the support from an adjustable homemade cross beam and it's pretty stable specially when you don't have a helper
.

[Newsguy]

Originally Posted by tonythetiger

well, now I gotta to ask...why are you replacing an engine again?
come forth
:+)

The first one had an intermix problem.

[Paul]

I use this to remove/install the engine and tranny as an assembly:

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200696308_200696308

[Newsguy]

We used a table, but had to remove the handle as the surface didn't elevate high enough to clear the handle. That makes it hard to maneuver. Perhaps I'll try another one.
Did you raise as a unit, or engine alone first?

[Quadcammer]

If its the hf one, you can just rotate handle down and reinstall. I do the whole drivetrain in one shot

[Paul]

[maytag]

nicely done, Paul!
I've never removed them as a single-unit before. Obviously that crossmember had to come out then. How'd that go? Do you think that was easier than removing them separately?

[Paul]

I find it easier to remove it as a unit.

Taking the cross member off is no big deal. To put it back on, I use a ratcheting tie down strap.