Quickjack

[chrisfell]

One alternative not mentioned so far (as it is not a quick solution) is the garage pit. A large lined hole in the floor covered up when not needed. I haven’t used one for years, but did for my first car when I needed to do a quick engine out and back in job (done in a day - drove in drove out) on a Mk1 Excort. I have been considering one for my garage. It will be a DIY job if I do it, using a commercially available liner.

[mgcjag]

Hi Chris...with a lift you can drop either the IRS or engine...raise tbe car then slide parts out...or just lift the car to remove wheels etc......iv never used a pit but how would you do these jobs easily.....Steve

[chrisfell]

A pit is for access, not for dropping large bits into. The process is as if there was no lift, drop onto a dolly on the floor (boards covering the pit under that particular component) and lift the car clear (for example engine hoist at the front, high lift SUV type jack at the rear). But instead of rummaging under the car on your back, you can descend steps into the pit.

Like others who have posted here, I’d have height clearance issues with a four poster, and access issues as anything will need to be manhandled up a steep drive into the garage.

A pit is a compromise. We’d all prefer to have a four poster, a complete Snap-on tool chest, air compressor and all the latest battery powered hand tools. Instead we make do with what we have.

[kevh]

Well, after much deliberation (well, about one whole days deliberation!) I have ordered a Clifton scissor lift from Strongman Lifts

https://strongmanlifts.co.uk/product/cl ... ssor-lift/

Looks really sturdy, supplied with the oil, eight locking heights, delivered with a tail lift and pallet truck.

Now I can get stuck into my S3 OTS restoration without arguing with my knees.

[mgcjag]

Hi Kev....dont think you will be dissapointed ...its a great tool...far better than the Quick jack in my opinion....Steve

[montauk1989]

Bringing this topic back with a question about using a QuickJack on an E-Type. I have a 1970 Series 2 coupe and have tackled quite a few projects with it lifted on jack stands—rear-end removal, new exhaust, suspension work, etc. Next up, I need to drop the engine to replace the clutch.
I've been using a QuickJack on my 911, which lifts to about 22", and that works fine for that car. However, I’m concerned that it won’t provide enough clearance to drop the E-Type’s engine and slide it out on furniture dollies. Does anyone know the minimum height needed to make this work?
Raising the front with an engine hoist after the drop isn't an option due to extremely limited garage space. Any insights would be appreciated!
Thanks
Dave

[bitsobrits]

On my current E type, I removed the engine for a rebuild by lowering the front of the car to position the engine/gearbox onto a dolly then roll it out the front with the picture frame assembly removed (I was doing a suspension rebuild as well). To replace the engine (without the water pump, as I recall) with the picture frame assembly and suspension in place, I was able to manually lift the front of the car and wheel it (using the rear wheels) over the engine/gearbox, then lower it enough to allow the engine front mounts to bolt up. No lift involved. Just a hydraulic jack for the main lifting, and a scissors jack to lift the gearbox end to start those bolts.

[mgcjag]

Can't you just run a tape measure down the engine and measure how tall it is?...Steve...ps a quick search on the forum finds the height of engine is 28in.....but I havent checked it

[Iansparky]

I have the 4 post glenfinnan lift from strongman, its really good quality and a they are good company to deal with and there is after sales support

[abowie]

Does anyone know the minimum height needed to make this work?
Dave

I don't think 22" is enough.

You need to have the engine on a trolley and blocks so that the bottom of the sump is at least 12" above the ground.

You can use an engine hoist to lift the front of the car up and over the engine; I have done this a number of times. If you have the rear of the car on jack stands it is easier to get the required height.

[SimonBrown]

I looked at a Quickjack to help me remove the engine/transmission on my Series 2 OTS. I dismissed it as I didn’t feel there was enough lift and bought a Strongman Clifton Scissor Jack. I too, don’t have much height in my garage. It made engine removal so easy, enables me to have all 4 wheels off the ground and a reasonable working height.
It also isn’t too wide so I can still get 2 cars side by side in my double garage.

[montauk1989]

Thanks for the replies. I don't have room for a 4 post. My garage is barely wide enough for my 911 and Jag. Vertical clearance is just 8'6". I think a mid-rise lift of some type is my best option. I'll simply park over it as I do now with the quick jacks when it's not needed.

[abowie]

You can get single column lifts that fit against the wall.

I used to have a MaxJax. Removable 2 post hoist. For a variety of reasons I would not recommend one.

I now have a bog standard 2 post hoist and am very happy with it.

You don't need to be able to lift the car so high that you can walk under it. I do all the work on my lift sitting in a chair.

[Gfhug]

I do all the work on my lift sitting in a chair.

Armchair or rocking chair

Sorry Andrew, just have this lovely image of you being comfortable with probably a glass of red to hand,

Geoff

[montauk1989]

My garage simply doesn’t have enough width for any type of posts. Years ago, the previous owners added a bathroom off the kitchen, shrinking the garage from a comfortably sized two-car space to what I’d call a one-and-a-half-car setup. I typically park the E on the left, carefully squeezing out the driver’s side, while the 911 sits on the right. Exiting the 911 requires a bit of maneuvering—I shimmy over to the passenger side and slip out through that door. I’ve tried backing the 911 in to avoid this, but the garage is so narrow that I don’t want to risk clipping the E-Type.

[Simonpfhc]

And here’s me thinking all American garages were huge!

[abowie]

I do all the work on my lift sitting in a chair.

Armchair or rocking chair

Sorry Andrew, just have this lovely image of you being comfortable with probably a glass of red to hand,

Geoff

I have a combination of short stools and retired office chairs.

The idea of a glass of red is a good one.

[montauk1989]

Just to follow up, the Quickjack as others pointed out, doesn't go high enough to slide the engine out. It's not even close. I put the rear wheels up on my ramps and simply lifted the front up like so many others have done.