Installing headers

[Icelander]

OK... Made the discovery that you can't put the driver's side header in without jacking up the engine from the mount. GRRR!

Now the problem is that I've got this thing sitting on a pair of jackstands and I don't see any place to jack other than the oil pan. Since I just hammered out that pan I'm a little reluctant to dent it back in. Not to mention put a torquing motion on the car while it's on jackstands.

Any other ideas without renting an engine puller?

Kendall the very very frustrated...

[uglypants]

The last time I had to do anything remotely like that Kendall wah replacing a oil pump in a 85 ford F150 where I had to lift the whole engine up about 6"Now I'm not saying this is the right way,just what i came up with in a pinch.
The truck was a couple feet off the ground,I used wood blocks under the harmonic balancer,making sure everything was loose . once it was up I blocked between the frame and motor mount to hold it,put the pan back on finger tight,removed the blocks and tightened everything up from there.
Im not sure if this helps (I'l probably get some flak for it) but in a pinch and low on funds,it worked for me!(and it saves a pan)
Mike

[triple66]

I have managed to raise an engine far enough by jacking by the pan. If you use a wide wooden block you should be able to avoid caving in the pan. Good luck with whatever you try.

[Icelander]

Uglypants,

thanks for the idea. Actually, calming down, getting out of the rain, eating something and getting my blood sugar back where I can think beyond using a hammer to fix everything....

I could roll it up on some ramps and then use the floor jack as Mitch suggested in a private email to lift up on the oil pan flange. Nice drawing too Mitch! :)

Lesson for today: Don't try and squeeze in a little work between work and dinner... Also when frustrated, back off and THINK!!! :P

If any of you have additional ideas I'd appreciate hearing about them.

[REED_RACING]

The way I've done it is, take a 2 by 4 and stand it straight on the floor jack under a corner of the timing chain cover. Raise the block of wood under the cover carefully till desired height then installed headers. This seems to work best for me everytime. ;)

[uglypants]

Kendall, I'm glad i was not too far off base with the advice I gave you.Looks like we are all on the same page!

I have learned the hard way and my projects have suffered when I insist on going on instead of taking a break or calling it a night.Good call on taking a breather!
Mike

[theJUDGE]

You guys are all on the money for the advice to Kendall.
There is no "official" way of doing this, I refer to the installation of headers as a "stunt".
Anyway, yeah Reed Racing's on, stand that 2x4 on end with the jack & put the end of the 2x4 against any edge part of the oil pan that has the bolts going into the block. The engine block will obviously hold the pressure & jack away.
Another joyous task you'll find is the tightening of the header bolts, guaranteed for profanity & blood.
You need fingers like E.T. on this one & Reed Racing seems to be the star of the show on this one too.
We call him "magic fingers"...... 8)