[tech]: dropping an engine w/o a hoist?

[brianm@earendel.org (Brian McGarvey)]

IMPORTANT NOTE SAFETY WARNING..
FAILURE TO FOLLOW CAN RESULT IN EXTREME PAIN, INJURY OR attempted DEATH.

When using this method to remove the motor. Make sure you loop the nylon
straps about the 2x4 mount several times more than 10 (2-3 time doesnt
have enough friction to hold). while your getting
everything loose. once everything is loose. Remember you forgot something.
the rear motor mount WILL get hung somewhere in the back of the engine
compartment.

<story>
My paranoia saved my ass. we had the motor loose of all the bolts. I had a
single or double loop followed with a clove hitch figuring it'd hold. as
long as ron held onto the straps... well I forgot to tell ron he needed to
hang on to em. so i look underneath and see the rear motor mount hung on
the bracket. I get ron to hand me a big ass screwdriver you know the 2.5
foot one. my head is in the wheel well i go poking around and the 8v
engine w/ tranny comes loose and FALLS with great acceration 9.8m/s^2 -
some small friction given by the nylon straps. I dropped everything and
got out as fast as i could... the only thing that was injured was me from
hittng the car. it could have been my head under the tranny. (oh yeah that
got me a little on the arm.) Paranoia taught me never to put my head under
large heavy objects that dont have metal holdin em in place.... Ive done
junkyard diving too much to risk shit like that.
</story>

anyway.
when you build your 2x4 truss above the car. in an H pattern. so that it
fits inside the fenders on the fender rails. (see Ron's and other ppls).
Ratcheting motorcycle straps make raising a motor easy. use at least 3 4
is better and you can get them at WalMart. the 1" wide ones.

Lowering the motor.
while the motor is still in place wrap the straps around the engine/tranny
assy. while the motor is still firmly attacted. in at least 2 places. then
make several loops with each strap around the 2x4 cross truss. then take
the ends and attach them to an immoveable object like the tow hook on
your other A1 or telephone pole etc. if you have nothing to attach it to
just wrap it like 10 time or so making sure to wrap it across itself to
provide additional friction.

Put a floor jack / jack stands under the motor incase something unexpected
happens.

remove motor mounts (im assuming that is all that is left) Remove the
bracket that the rear mount mounts to as well. thats what almost killed
me.

get the hell out from underneath.

put an old tire underneath (no rim) or plywood etc.

remove underneath supports with somehting other than a body part.

check to make sure the straps are holding.

find out where the motor is hung.

shake like mad.

motor will loosen then drop some distance. the reason you are using nylon
is that it streches. and will slow it without damaging anything.

at this point the ends of the straps should be disconnected from the
immovable object. or the somebody should get in the car and slowly let the
motor down.

if the motor fails to drop undo one loop at a time on each strap until the
motor slides down slowly.
or get out of the way and let go.

scirocco love.
Brian
2.0L topless bunny
secret project -- plannin stage
88 16v mushed front end
87 white 16v RI 2D Piecs
88 red 16v RIPieces -- buy my shit..
81 white 8v.. sold


 On Sat, 31 Aug 2002, 'Cheapass' Ron Pieper wrote:

> Yes, the two 2x4's across the fenders will work fine, with some nylon
> straps...Big Mac and I used motorcycle tie downs.  That's because my
> hoist is at Daun's.
>
> Engine removal was quick, after getting all mounts and obstructions
> free it took about 9.81 m/s2 over maybe a foot.  Ask Brian.   ;)
>
> Engine install was step by step raising into place with the straps and
> 2x4's.  That's what I'll be doing when I install my 2.0L.
>
> Ron
>
> --- Michael Abatzis <abatzis2@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > i'm thinking about doing some parting this weekend; i think once i
> > get the
> > engine out i'll feel like i'm accomplishing something. anyway, i have
> > no
> > engine lift and am wondering the best way to get it out. drop out the
> > bottom
> > obviously, but how? i'm thinking about some rope wrapped a couple of
> > times
> > around a pair of 2x4s (like you can do with the tranny), with a jack
> > underneath. lower the jack all the way, and use the 2x4s for the
> > rest. or
> > actually i can just prop the 2x4s on something, and use 2 people to
> > lower it
> > the rest of the way, if that makes any sense. keep in mind the car is
> >
> > wrecked, so breaking things isn't a huge concern. and no, i don't
> > have a
> > sawzall...tia,
> >
> > -Michael Abatzis
> > Hotlanta! GA
> > 1988 Scirocco 2L 16v RIP-->parting, web site up soon!
> > 1987 Scirocco 2L 16v...
> >
> >
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