Date:         Tue, 17 Aug 2004 11:08:13 -0700
Reply-To:     Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Auto Trans Install - Take Out Engine?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I once swapped an engine out in a Pinto I had (yeah, yeah, already heard it)
and we used what I called a 'redneck engine lift'. One 4x4 fence post, one
logging chain, one case of beer and two rednecks. Worked pretty well. I was
thinking of how you would go about doing something like that in the enclosed
vanagon- I was thinking of something like a boxed a-frame with a chainfall,
but I like the floor jack. Pretty nifty.

Craig-
Just to clarify; when I did my tranny it wasn't strapped down in any way- if
yours is bound down too tight, it might be part of the problem.
When you get the first bolt caught in the hole, and then gently continue
jacking, it forces the tranny to rotate a bit on that pivot point. It just
naturally lifts the other side to where it lines up, assuming the engine is
lowered enough to create the proper angle. As for the short floor jack under
the engine, I've often used a cinder block as a base to set the jack on; if
it isn't cracked and you're not trying to lift the world with it, it
generally works well.

With all due respect to Hans, I'd suggest giving the above a go before you
tear everything down and reset the van- it should be clear in a few minutes
it it's gonna work or not; if not, then his way may be what you need. I
personally need the van way up there so I can get my big ass underneath it.

All you Vanagonians (Vanagonauts?) up there in the Bay oughta form a mutual
support society and social club- Seems like there's enough of you in that
area. Bet 'ol Craig is startin' to feel like he's the only one that ever
owned one of these things.

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Delanty" <laurasdog@WEIRDSTUFFWEMAKE.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 10:07 AM
Subject: Re: Auto Trans Install - Take Out Engine?


> Craig,
> When I removed the WBX from my van, I used a chain, a floor jack,
> and some scrap lumber to make a "hoist". Maybe something like
> this would help you:
>
>
<http://www.weirdstuffwemake.com/automotive/vanagon/WBXremoval/boxer_hoist.j
pg>
>
>
> Steve
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> At 09:10 AM 8/17/2004, you wrote:
>
> >Hans, thanks for the advice.  Also, thanks to Robert Fisher and Zoran
> >Mladen for their advice on this.   I get really motivated when people
> >try to help me.  It's sometimes a bummer at night to not get the job
> >accomplished.  However, it's really uplifting to come into my day-job,
> >pop open my email and see the encouragement from people.   awesome.
> >
> >Right now, I have the engine supported by straps connected to a 2x4
> >hung above the engine on the engine bay.  It's not too easy for me to
> >lower the engine for adjustment.
> >
> >I do have a second small automobile hydraulic jack that may work if I
> >put lots of wood bricks under it.  Right now, I have the van too high
> >for the smaller jack to reach under the engine and support it.
> >
> >Robert's idea of jacking up one edge of the transmission to rotate the
> >level of the two mounting holes is appealing.   Is there a good jack
> >point where I can put the secondary jack on to raise and lower only
> >one side of the automatic transmission?  I'm thinking of maybe putting
> >a piece of sheet metal on one of the  CV joint bolts and try to use
> >that as leverage to lift up one side of the trans.  Not sure if this
> >will work, though.  I don't have the tranny in front of me now.   Like
> >Robert, I seem to be able to consistently get one of the two lower
> >mounting studs lined up with one hole on the transmission housing.  I
> >just can't line up second hole.  Yet..  It seems tantalizingly close.
> >Once I get that second stud on, I think it will be a relative piece of
> >cake to bolt the tranny and engine together and attach the front
> >tranny to the frame.
> >
> >Thanks to the warm encouragement from the people on the list, I'll
> >probably go home tonight and try to lower the engine a bit and/or
> >figure out some way to use a secondary jack to raise/lower one edge of
> >the transmission.
> >
> >Regards,
> >Craig
>