Temporary Motor Support

[kickdeez]

This is more just a general question about supporting the motor than it is anything else, but this seemed like as good a spot as any to post it.

Getting ready to swap motor mounts, motor mount frame brackets, and engine cross member. I need to support the motor in place so I can line up the new motor mount frame brackets and drill holes in the frame in the right spot. I have the transmission bolted up to the motor and the transmission bolted down to the rear cross member.

I need to support the front of the motor during the motor mount bracket swap. I was originally going to use my motor hoist, but it gets in the way more than anything, and I really don't like relying on a hydraulic cylinder to hold a lot of weight for an extended period of time.

Can I support the front of the motor by putting a jack stand under the harmonic balancer/vibration damper on the front of the crankshaft? Will that cause any damage to the balancer/damper, or the front oil seal, or the front main bearing?

 

[Camar068]

hopefully you've figured out your issue by now. My thoughts would be to put it where it should be and mark all the holes then remove/lift it out of the way and drill. If your really concerned about accuracy, drill one on each side, put a bolt in to torque spec's.....then mark the others......remove/lift and drill the others.

I've never done what your stating, but thats what I would do....after searching the web for others that have done it (mainly looking for do's and don'ts.... if they are out there).

 

[kickdeez]

Thanks for the response. I have ZERO desire to pull the motor, which is where this request originated from. I decided to just support the front of the motor with a jack stand under the harmonic balancer. I haven't started drilling holes for the motor mount brackets yet, but I have begun modifying my brackets to fit. Drilling the holes is not going to be super easy with the motor in place, but it is doable. It is a time consuming process, but I'm getting there slowly.

 

[yevgenievich]

To me supporting by the balancer just does not sound good. Either 4x4 on the fenders or tall jackstands around the oil pan flange would be my preference

 

[kickdeez]

I was skeptical about it also. With the front axle in the way, it is nearly impossible to get a jack stand in a suitable position to support it in any other place. I hemmed and hawed over it for an inordinate amount of time, but I talked to my engine builder buddy, and he said it shouldn't be a problem. I got tired of talking about it and said screw it...worst case scenario, I end up having to replace my harmonic balancer, and that will give me a reason to replace the crank pulley also, which could stand to be replaced anyway.