I'm dropping a '78 SC engine this weekend. Where is a good balance point to place the jack for lowering the engine.

Thanks for any help.

 

i put mine just a little in front of the oil sump plate.

 

Damn I hust got hom from Murtle Beah after spending a week vacation ( yes another one of those Ontario Tourists. I would have loved to come over and give you a hand.
The last one i did they jacked a whole dolly up so when the engine game down it was already on the dolley . Worked out pretty cool actually.

took the rear bumper off for clearance . Was only a few bolts . The 5 minutes work is worth it. Just have somebody hold the bumper while you remove it.

 

Glad to hear you had a good time in Myrtle Beach

I'm dropping the engine and trans together.

I heard that a place the jack behind the sump plate when droppin the engine and trans.

Anybody use that spot before?

 

seams to me behind ( towards the rear of the car ) would not be an optimal lift point.

 

Call Paul Wilding of Wilding Engineering in Lees Summit, MO. Here's and example of the engine cradle and hoist attachment he sells (the first two items listed on the page above). I have both and can tell that they work GREAT. Paul used to list them on eBay from time to time, but I'm sure if you call him, he will be more than happy to sell you one... No affiliation with Paul or his company. I'm just a VERY satisfied customer.

Toby

 

in my experience, it balances quite well without anything else. I didnt even have any help. I am always a one man show. I did leave the transmission in the car though.

 

ah the weight of the transmision .. of course !!! whether it is on the engine or not will change tiping point ...

 

I did an engine drop on the 356 with a trolley (floor) jack. I thought about it later, and I must have been mad! Mad I say, madness!

There was a good thread on pelican parts (google "site:forums.pelicanparts.com" "engine drop") that had a bunch of pictures of different ways that guys dropped their engines. To me, you have to get some funky angles and stuff, and it is so easy to tip the engine over and actually drop it on the ground, a cradle or platform of some sort is the safest way to do it. A lot of racers, and my mechanic can do it with a plain old floor jack. I think they balance it a little bit aft of the engine tranny seam.

You can click on the funky tools thread below to see what I used to do my 3.2 911, and my friend's 911SC

 

Thanks for all your help.

You guys make Rennlist great.