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Posted by: ericoneal Jul 23 2017, 07:49 PM

I've been working to replace the throw-out bearing in my transmission and all has been going well until today. Got the transmission removed from the car and supported the rear of the engine with a floor jack. (all jacks stands were being used to hold the car up) Got called away, by kids and family stuff, and discovered tonight that the jack had failed! (I know I know) ANyway, the engine back was sagging about 4-5 inches and was unsupported.
I cant see anything blatantly wrong with the engine mounts up front, is there something I should look for as far as potential damage? Think it will be OK?
Neighbors jack stand is under it now..

Posted by: Spoke Jul 23 2017, 07:53 PM

As long as you didn't twist the engine bar (unlikely) or rip the engine mounts, you should be ok. It likely was a slow drop so no issue like from a snap drop.

Posted by: ericoneal Jul 23 2017, 08:16 PM

Thats what I wanted to hear. Thanks

Posted by: SirAndy Jul 23 2017, 09:12 PM

You need to double check the motor mounts. The weight of the engine was only supported by those two small rubber pieces, you want to make SURE they are not cracked now.

Posted by: Dave_Darling Jul 23 2017, 09:27 PM

I did the same thing the first time I tried that. The rubber engine mounts failed in short order after that, and I had to replace them. That's on a side-shift car; the mount for the tail-shifters is different.

--DD

Posted by: Perry Kiehl Jul 24 2017, 05:51 AM

This happened to me on my very first clutch job too Eric. Like Dave, I had a front engine mount go bad soon after. If the front rubber mounts have plenty of life in them, you may be OK.

Posted by: ericoneal Jul 24 2017, 08:06 AM

Got it. Will check the mounts if/when I get the transmission back in. Tried with two jackstands, think I need three. Cant keep it stable enough to mate with the engine with only two.

Posted by: bdstone914 Jul 24 2017, 08:35 AM

Was this on a tail or side shift car? either way check the motor mounts. The side shift mounts tear easily on their own. If on a side shift car the bar to mount brackets will bend but that is not a big deal.
Why not drop the engine while you are this close? Only two bolts and the fuel and electrical connections.

Posted by: ericoneal Jul 24 2017, 09:04 AM

Its a side shift. I didnt drop the engine because I thought just dropping the transmission would be faster, and it was, until I hit this snag.
I had the engine rebuilt two years ago and dropped them both myself and it was a nightmare.
I'm getting another jack tonight and it should go back in easy, I hope. One jack up front, and two on the back mounts, so I can lift it evenly. Will take pictures!

Posted by: Perry Kiehl Jul 24 2017, 09:51 AM

If you have the time to wait, you might consider just replacing the mounts. Pelican has them for $17 each.

Posted by: SirAndy Jul 24 2017, 10:49 AM

His profile says he has a '73, which is why i assumed a side-shifter.

Posted by: ericoneal Jul 24 2017, 01:11 PM

Ya, I think I will go ahead and replace them. Just support the engine, unbolt, and slip new ones on, right?

Posted by: cuddyk Jul 24 2017, 01:28 PM

I've found that all floor jacks leak. Some faster than others. Maybe it's just my luck...but I've always thought they were designed for temporary use. Another reason why they say never to get under a car that's only supported by a jack.

Can't hurt to swap out the mounts. They're a maintenance item anyway. A little tricky to get a wrench over the top of the bolt, but doable.

Posted by: Dave_Darling Jul 24 2017, 03:18 PM

Yes, but there's no "just" about it. The upper nut on both mounts is a pain in the butt to tighten. I think I remember removing the oil filter (letting it drip overnight) so that I could reach in from the side and actually get my hand and my wrench and/or socket into the correct area. I used my 1/4" drive ratchet, and got basically one click per try out of it. It took quite a while to tighten that thing down...

--DD

Posted by: Triaddave Jul 24 2017, 03:18 PM

If you get the car running first, and when you shift you hear a clunk, motor mount is sour...ask me how I know.

Posted by: ericoneal Jul 25 2017, 09:13 AM

hmm. I took the engine out summer before last and dont remember those bolts being that bad....
Anyway, transmission is back in as of 12:30AM last night. What a job! Never doing that again. (I lie)
All thats left now is the starter motor, shift rod, and clutch cable,etc.
Then a quick check of the mounts.