Supporting engine from top
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78
Likes: 17
Supporting engine from top
With the heads off etc I need/want to replace oil pan gaskets and am wondering the best way to support the engine from atop. I bought a support from harbor freight but trying to come up with ideas where to actually tie it into the block. Water pump bolts possibly? Thanks for any help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 415
From: Erwin, NC
With the heads off etc I need/want to replace oil pan gaskets and am wondering the best way to support the engine from atop. I bought a support from harbor freight but trying to come up with ideas where to actually tie it into the block. Water pump bolts possibly? Thanks for any help.
I think most people just put a jack under the bell housing to support the engine.
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,452
Likes: 7,153
From: CT
I'd suggest not using the HF brace. What you will brace the weight against is just fiberglas or plastic inner fenders and that stuff doesn't like a ton of weight focused on a set of small pads.
It can still be done. I mean..... without the heads and intake and with the exhaust dismounted the shortblock itself is notably lighter. I'm just not a fan.
I went with a leveler plate and a hoist as my project is never-ending and that is the most secure option. Rentals are available. And if you buy an LS specific plate then it can probably be sold within a few months or next spring.
It can still be done. I mean..... without the heads and intake and with the exhaust dismounted the shortblock itself is notably lighter. I'm just not a fan.
I went with a leveler plate and a hoist as my project is never-ending and that is the most secure option. Rentals are available. And if you buy an LS specific plate then it can probably be sold within a few months or next spring.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 563
Likes: 201
From: Montgomery City, MO
The HF brace is less than ideal, but is easily "extended" to do this more safely with our cars. I did a write-up of my oil pan removal here
There are certainly ways to modify / fab better extensions for this brace, but the one I used was loaned to me so I wanted to keep the permanent modifications to the bare minimum.
I think you would be ok removing the belt tensioner and using one of those bolts to the water pump housing. But no ideas on the driver side.
There are certainly ways to modify / fab better extensions for this brace, but the one I used was loaned to me so I wanted to keep the permanent modifications to the bare minimum.
I think you would be ok removing the belt tensioner and using one of those bolts to the water pump housing. But no ideas on the driver side.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 685
From: Avon Lake OH
This is what I did when I changed my oil pan from the early 1-pcs unit to the later 2-pcs unit (along with a WHOLE bunch of other changes/modifications).
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1607625609
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1607625609
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78
Likes: 17
So I tried the HF bar and it just isn’t ideal and sketch AF. So I went more sketch lol. I put a 4x4 in the rafters (across 6) anchored a D ring in, an have commercial rated ratchet straps, one around the beam and the other on the D ring. I figure since it’s only supporting for minimal time the straps should work fine. Also they are going on a valley cover lift plate. Easily 2k lbs of strength for 400 ish lbs.
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Advanced
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 52
Likes: 17
From: Miami, FL
With the heads off etc I need/want to replace oil pan gaskets and am wondering the best way to support the engine from atop. I bought a support from harbor freight but trying to come up with ideas where to actually tie it into the block. Water pump bolts possibly? Thanks for any help.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 563
Likes: 201
From: Montgomery City, MO
Doing the extensions on the HF brace was also somewhat "sketchy", but in the end it was perfectly safe as long as you're resting the support pads on the frame rails and not the fenders.
Advanced
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 52
Likes: 17
From: Miami, FL
I attached the chain to a hoist. All I was doing was raising the motor high enough to remove the oil pan and to take care of a few other things. I came in with the hoist from the side. Coming from the front got me a little too close to the bumper.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 58
From: Benicia CA
You need a Corvette specific support bar, a standard one won't work without modification. I would use a hoist with a jackstand under the bellhousing. I don't remember, but you might not need to remove the subframe.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 31,976
Likes: 487
From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
Back when the 01 C5Z ring recall was going, the Techs at the local Corvette friendly dealer used a subframe which they cut to allow them to support the motor but get the pistons out.
You could support the motor from a lift plate long enough to swap out the sub frames.
You could support the motor from a lift plate long enough to swap out the sub frames.