Best Place To Jack Up Engine

kbuskill · Jan 27, 2021

When I did all the work of dropping the pan and swapping oil pump and timing chain, etc. back in the day I used a engine hoist/cherry picker, but a piece of 2x4 stood on its end between the jack and the jacking points on the block should work just fine as well.

My Burb is a 2wd though so I know there is less stuff in the way.

Tonyv__ · Jan 27, 2021

kbuskill said:
There are actually spots cast into both sides of the engine block that protrude out specifically for this.

View attachment 268969

I knew the oil pan was a no no but I didn’t know the jacking points were there either. I just assume engine lift was the best/safest option

kbuskill · Jan 27, 2021

Tonyv__ said:
I knew the oil pan was a no no but I didn’t know the jacking points were there either. I just assume engine lift was the best/safest option

Down side to using a traditional engine hoist is the legs sticking under the truck are kind of in the way when you are under there.

But if you extend the arm out on the hoist and keep the lags pulled in its not too bad. Just MAKE SURE that you have enough weight on the back of the hoist so it doesn't tip over.

bfourman · Jan 27, 2021

2x6 on a floor jack worked for me. I also used a ratchet strap across the engine bay to leverage the engine one way or the other to gain a little more clearance.

wsteele · Jan 27, 2021

22YukonDenali22 said:
Hey All,

I'm going to be changing both front motor mounts soon on my 2008 GMC Yukon Denali, 6.2, RWD. What's the best/least damage-potential area for using a floor jack with wooden 2x4's to slowly lift the engine?

Here is one on Youtube. Not sure I would have the courage the use the cat as a hoist point, but...

thompsoj22 · Jan 28, 2021

wsteele said:
Here is one on Youtube. Not sure I would have the courage the use the cat as a hoist point, but...

Good mech with skills. But, The jacking point is based upon hope/luck and it worked this time! In the event it didnt, Lets say exhaust bolt at the engine or pipe to manifold breaks/shears would he inform the owner? would he fix it if he had to remove the manifold and easy out the shank from the engine block? Yea probably not, Im not hacking on the guy, just realizing that dropping your car off with a " professional" dosent mean you get "factory service techniques".

wsteele · Jan 28, 2021

thompsoj22 said:
Good mech with skills. But, The jacking point is based upon hope/luck and it worked this time! In the event it didnt, Lets say exhaust bolt at the engine or pipe to manifold breaks/shears would he inform the owner? would he fix it if he had to remove the manifold and easy out the shank from the engine block? Yea probably not, Im not hacking on the guy, just realizing that dropping your car off with a " professional" dosent mean you get "factory service techniques".

Yeah, I actually had a momentary flashback to that DC10 crash out of O'hare where an engine fell off just after takeoff. I did like the rest of his process though. Might give it a try myself when the time arrives, sans cat jacking. Seems like a cherry picker could be pressed into service pretty easily and eliminate cracked cats, broken manifold unions, etc.

1BADI5 · Jan 28, 2021

I did both of my mounts in the driveway with the front wheels on ramps.

- Driver side I was able to do without lifting the motor (mount came out in 2 pieces, I replaced with solid mounts and it was a 2 piece design)

- Pass Side, I dropped the starter out and I lifted the motor about 1.5" via 2x4s and floorjack under the AC compressor bracket.

NOTE: Common sense goes along ways

John H Daniel · Jan 28, 2021

I just did the drivers side and used the oil pan with a board to spread the load. With that nice flat area and the nearby stiffening ribs, its hard to believe its not expected. Though I get that its not recommended. Certainly did it a plenty back in the day with those stamped steel pans. (stop sounding like an old guy...)
Has anyone ever heard of damage from this? Would be good to know.

the_tool_man · Jan 29, 2021

One of the YT videos I watched, the guy took two 2x4's and nailed them together into a "T" cross section. He was just able to insert it between the front drivetrain and the frame to get at what appeared to be a reinforced area of the oil pan. He used a floor jack and the "T" to lift the engine. Here's the vid...

Best Place To Jack Up Engine

kbuskill

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Tonyv__

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kbuskill

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wsteele

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wsteele

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