Is there any way to remove the K member without pulling the engine? I'd like to take mine out and clean it up/paint it, but the way I have the car in my garage there's no room to use a cherry picker in front of it. And the rear end is out of the car too so there's no easy way to move it right now..

 

I used 2x4s screwed together and laid them across the fenders. Otherwise they make ones out of steel for doing FWD vehicles. If you use 2x4s it takes 3 at minimum(2 makes a scarry crackling sound). Laminate them together with screws and stand them vertically( III ). It held the engine/trans up for 3 days until I was finished.

The more you use, the more the weight will be distributed to prevent denting of the fender. I used three and had no problem. If you cut them shorter I suppose you could go across the strut towers. Just be extremely carefull and watch everything at all times. I had to brace the wood up because it was trying to slide down the fender towards the front. Car can be rebuilt, your head after being smashed by an engine falling 2 feet cannot however.

This is what I did to change the rear main, except I left the K-member together and ran chains down through the springs so I pretty much just dropped the assembled front suspension from the body.

I know it sounds pretty *******, but desperation to drive in the spring conquers all.

 

Isn't that the truth. Only problem is, every time I take off one thing to fix or clean up, I find another thing that I really should do too!


Do you think the 2x4's would still work with the transmission out of the car?

 

How about a chain block?

 

Finished ceiling above the car.. I wouldn't care about cutting a hole in the ceiling to attach a block to the trusses but I don't know how I'd get to that area without standing on the hood!

I wonder if I could use a cherry picker from the side just to hold the engine up instead. I've got all sorts of room on the passenger side.

 

you shouldn't have a problem doing it from the side.

 

I used a cherry picker from the side to lift the motor enough to pull the oil pan last winter. It can be done.

 

Just thought I'd update this thread..

The harbor freight folding engine hoist - not quite long enough to get directly above the engine from the side. Needed another 5 inches or so to get directly over the center. I might have been able to gain another 2 or 3 inches if I would have taken the fender off first.

however, with everything taken off the front down to the radiator support I had plenty of room to go in from the front

 

Got to it to late... you're probably already done.