Engine hoist question

Discussion in 'Modifications And Maintenance' started by prezawagon, Nov 25, 2009.

  1. prezawagon
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    prezawagon Well-Known Member

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    Does anyone know approximately how much headroom you need to lift an engine out on a WRX using a hoist? I'm sure it varies a bit depending on the style of the hoist. But, my garage has low clearance, probably around 7'5" or so. Is that enough to get the engine out?
     
  2. Scuba Steve
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    Scuba Steve Well-Known Member

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    should be more than enough. just don't have the car too high up in the air:biggrin:
     
  3. dmoo
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    dmoo Well-Known Member

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    when in doubt be ready to let the car off the jack stands for the "extra inch"

    you should be able to get it out
     
  4. curly2k3
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    curly2k3 Well-Known Member

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    yeah 7.5 feet should clear it, might be tight, but it should be able to clear
     
  5. Threshld1
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    Threshld1 Well-Known Member

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    If you can get your hood vertical in the space you should have enough room for the hoist boom. Just chain it as close to the motor as you can.
     
  6. prezawagon
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    prezawagon Well-Known Member

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    Ok, thanks for the info. I'm not sure if the hood will go vertical when the car is jacked up, I'll have to check that tonight.
     
  7. carl
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    carl Well-Known Member

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    you should be fine with the wheels on the ground
     
  8. Chux
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    Chux Well-Known Member

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    yep, as mentioned, leave the car on the ground, and as little chain between the hoist and engine. you should have plenty.
     
  9. mlgez
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    mlgez Well-Known Member

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    No problem Joel. I just did mine w/trans too and I bet I did not go much above that and I had the balancer on there too as you can see below. Go with just strait chain and close to the block and you should have no problem.
     
  10. carl
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    carl Well-Known Member

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    it would suck to put it back in without a leveler.

    (says the guy who installed his engine 3 times in 1 day)
     
  11. mlgez
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    mlgez Well-Known Member

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    Well next time ask to borrow it :) It is just sitting there right now.
     
  12. carl
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    carl Well-Known Member

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    I have a leveler matt, I'm just saying I couldn't imagine doing it without one
     
  13. Threshld1
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    Threshld1 Well-Known Member

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    Bah its not that bad without one. My last few have been without. Just get your box at a decent height with a jack and do what you can to match the angle on the motor. With a bit of patience she will slide right in.
     
  14. Colin
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    Colin Well-Known Member

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    you should probably remove the hood. It's much easier:biggrin:
     
  15. piddster
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    piddster Lone Wolf

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    With the front of my car on stands, I can get the motor out at full extension with a leveler. I have about 1" of clearance over the upper core support.
     
  16. ofspunk7
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    ofspunk7 Well-Known Member

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    +1 yeah, I would remove the hood for sure. As seen in the pics above. Otherwise, I am not sure how you will get the engine out.
     
  17. carl
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    carl Well-Known Member

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    you don't need to remove the hood. my hood is still attached :biggrin:

    [​IMG]
     
  18. ofspunk7
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    ofspunk7 Well-Known Member

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    ^ Nice.

    EDIT: you need to remove the hood, be carl or make the hood fold all the way back.
     
  19. curly2k3
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    curly2k3 Well-Known Member

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    all the way back or vertical on the second rod mount is more than enough
     
  20. Chux
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    Chux Well-Known Member

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    definitely do not need to remove the hood. in fact, I wouldn't unless you needed it off anyway. I know it's only 4 bolts, but then you have to have a place to put it without damaging it.....more work than necessary.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    ^without a hoist. we used a strap between it and a landscaping timber, and my dad and I lifted it out.


    also don't need to raise the vehicle, but it's kinda nice for radiator hoses, exhaust and engine mounts. but if vertical space is a premium, do that, and then put the car back on the ground.
     
  21. prezawagon
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    prezawagon Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the input everyone, that was exactly the info I was looking for.

    The last time I pulled an engine out we used the bucket on a john deere tractor as a hoist. We also once pulled the engine/tranny on an old subaru by unbolting everything and lifting the body off with the same tractor. :)

    But, It looks like one corner of my garage would have enough clearance for a hoist if I end up having to pull the engine myself. The ceiling in my garage drops to go around a bunch of duct work and a beam, the far corner has the most room.
     
  22. curly2k3
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    curly2k3 Well-Known Member

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    I could probably swing over and give a hand tomorrow after the MIA