Tips on jacking up the motor

[HT413]

Changing out my leaky header gasket on the pass side of my 69 Belvedere with a 413 truck motor. Just cant get the header past the rear stud so i was thinking about jacking the motor up a bit.

Where is the best spot to do this (i dont have a hoist so it'll have to be from below). A little leery of going off the oil pan, anyone do this? (maybe some wood to protect the pan?). Any other tips would be appreciated. Just want to do this quick without causing other probs.

 

[MoparMitch]

Use a 4X4 block of wood at the rear of the engine on the opposite side of the starter. There should be a ear of the block that you can contact.

 

[rsd859]

x2

 

[HT413]

Great idea, thanks!

 

[MarPar]

im changing out my driver's side motor mount right now, and i used a flat, wide piece of wood on a floor jack right on the oil pan. i've done this a bunch of times, and no problems. (stock oil pan btw)

you can see the block of wood here...

 

[WP29440SE]

Ive always lifted mine under the balancer with a piece of wood and a floor jack

 

[67 coronet]

why not just cut the end bolt hole of the gasket into a u shape to go over the stud.many of the factory style gaskets are made that way for that reason.no jacking neeeded.

 

[Moparsmitty]

why not just cut the end bolt hole of the gasket into a u shape to go over the stud.many of the factory style gaskets are made that way for that reason.no jacking neeeded.

X2 I've done this on lots of header gaskets. Saves a ton of time and busted knuckles. Just slot the bolt holes to the bottom of the gasket, loosen the header bolts, slip 'em in, retighten. BTW I prefer Remflex graphite gaskets.

 

[Cornpatch MO]

I had a heck of a time getting my right side stock HP manifold on with the engine in the Dodge. On some of the studs,I had enough thread to shorten them. Some studs, I replaced with a bolt. And I thought the left side would give me fits---piece a cake...........................MO

 

[RustyRatRod]

Yup right on the oil pan with a block of wood. Won't hurt a thing.

 

[Meep-Meep]

I've lifted plenty of engines by the oil pan with a block of wood and no issues. Just make sure you spread the load out over a large area.

 

[HT413]

Thanks for the input fellas. With the 3/8" wiggle room i have, I actually got the old gasket off and the head surface cleaned, but I cant quite see if the header surfaces are clean (no where near enough room for a mirror or finger). it was leaking between 4 and 6 and the paper and metal gasket was pretty destroyed there so i'd like to just check everything's clean before reassembly.

I was thinking about slotting the header flange toward the bottom of the rear stud so I could remove the header next time without jacking... bad idea?

 

[Meep-Meep]

In the past I have slotted gaskets and it always worked out great. Nothing wrong with slotting the header flange either. Just make nice straight cuts so you have some metal left when putting it back together.