L_perm

It's a little un-nerving seeing that big aluminum V8 hang out in mid-air on the engine stand with only four bolts holding it. Are the mounting points reinforced or designed to be hung in such a way? Is there a limit to how long it should hang?

I've decided to put a jack stand under it when I'm not working on it.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Louis

UncleMaz

I let my lump "hang" for 18 mos. with no additional support. I experienced 1/2 -1 inch droop in the front of the engine/stand, stemming from bolt fatigue. The stand is a 1.5 ton model. So, supporting it can't be a bad idea. Your stand and bolts may be better than my autozone edition.

gbgastowers

I think it weighs around 800lbs

hlee96

I just had my 4.5L on the engine stand for 3 months and took it off without any noticeable changes to the bolt locations and to the stand. I upgraded all the standard bolts that came with the Harbor freight 2000 lbs folding engine stand with grade 8 (SAE) or grade 10.8 (metric) bolts/nuts/washers.

The engine weights ~600 lbs dry, so it may be a good idea to put some support below the oil pan if you are going to be working on it for quite some time. At least that's what most pics on the web show and it's how the Porsche "special tool" is constructed.

85euro928

If it's a typical engine stand with a tee shaped base and single support out towards the front just put a small screw jack on the front leg of the base of the stand and a piece of two-by under the engine and jack it up enough to take some of the weight off it. I don't know if it was required or not but that's what I did. At least then I didn't need to fret about it

Mr Earbrass

Ditto on the support under the front - mine was on the stand (not Harbor Freight) 3 months while I refreshed everything. I just thought it was a bit more secure.

KenRudd

Amusing juxtaposition.

Rodrv6

The Porsche Factory Workshop Manual, on page 13-2, recommends the use of an additional support under the sides of the engine block once the cylinder heads have been installed. Special tool 9128.

Chris Lockhart

Yeah, I didn't feel comfortable with it hanging either. I temporarily placed a 1' diameter log under mine as a support. Just finished making a more permanent stand to go under it. I'll put it in when I get home tonight.

M. Requin

If and when you join, that should be your avatar.

kmascotto

how long did it take to pull the motor?

mark kibort

i cut a big pvc pipe at that point to support it.. before that , nothing, as it doesnt weigh much without the heads.

AO

Been hanging for 2.5 years now... Dammit!

RennPartsDirect

Some have gotten one out in around 3 hours. Took me 4 hours on my '83 (first time through the process) but mine already had the accessories removed along with the heater and A/C lines so that helped speed up the process...

SS

L_perm

Thanks for all the replies. I have all the ancillaries, intake, front covers, exhaust manifolds, etc. off of the engine. I don't have the heads off yet. The engine is also fully drained. I suspect I'm at about 500lbs, based on the reported engine weight of 580lbs. I did use 8.8 bolts and sized them to engage as much thread as possible. (M12x1.5x100mm on top; 1/2"x5" for the bottom, plus flat and lock washers)

It only took me and my buddies about an hour to get it out, including having to reposition the car. We took our time. But, I already had everything taken out of the bay.