Replace or repair picture frame

[Peter Collins]

Can I remove the picture frame from a series2 coupe without taking the engine out ? Mine is damaged from jacking it up over the years .

[christopher storey]

The answer is yes but it would be a quite awful job - you would have to dismantle the front suspension to a considerable extent - and you would need to take the weight of the engine with a sling anyway because otherwise the frames would tend to spread and you might damage them . Getting the picture frame back on would be a challenge as well, as with the engine in situ lining up all the bolt holes might be quite difficult . Unless the frame is distorted ( more commonly it is just the double thickness outer edges which are bent by people jacking on them without the hardwood block in the channel ) it really is not worth the effort until you have to take it all apart for some other reason

[Peter Collins]

Christopher. Thank you for your advice , I have taken it on board and I am repairing the picture frame it in situ .
Pete