Make-shift Harbor Freight Engine Dolly Holds Up

[johnk]

I ran out of time dropping my engine transmission and front suspension in one piece and didn't have time to make up a dolly to pull the unit out from under the car. I didn't have anyone to help me drag it out on a board either. I took the chance and dropped it all on my $27 Harbor Freight creeper and it worked perfectly with no damage to the creeper or engine. I only have a slight tear in the creeper cushion where I didn't put a board under the transmission.

The creeper has a third set of wheels in the middle which made it work.

[DaveB]

Hi John - how did you suspend the front of the car? Or is it on a hoist?

[Shvegel]

If you do build something put good wheels on it.  The one my bodyman built drove me nuts until I welded up another one. Home depot sells some ones with red urethane tires that work really well. 

When you remove the rear axle be careful that you do not flex it hard in the upward direction (pulling up hard on one hub)  the casting where the rubber boot mounts is really thin and it will crack off.  I broke mine and had to have it welded.

I am hoping to have my shell back in June.  IF that happens I should have front and rear dollies that you can have.

[johnk]

Jack stands were plenty high enough, but I had the head off so that lowered the amount of clearance I needed. The injector pump was the highest portion of the assembly so I just rolled the unit out sideways under the wheel well.

[johnk]

Thanks Schvegal. I have everything out and my transmission and differential are at Joe A's already. If it wasn't for guidance like yours on this web sight I am sure I would have cracked the casting and a few other items!

[rbouch8828]

Hello John,

I am about to do the same. Could you list the steps you went through to disconnect the front suspension from the cassis so you could drop it and the engine?

Kind regards,

Roland

[johnk]

Roland
I pretty much followed the steps in the Haynes manual. Disconnected the tie rods where I could. Jacked the wheels up on the outside and disconnected the shock absorber. Then i put the jack under the wide end of the "A" support section (sorry can't remember the name) and disconnected the two bolts that hod it in place. Lower the jack and the unit allowing me to remove the coil spring. I then removed the entire hub assembly and A-support section. Lastly I put my trust Harbor Freight creeper under the engine and cross member, lowered the entire car until the cross member rested on the creaper, removed the four bolts that hold the front suspension in front of the wheels, lift the car up and slide the engine out the side.

[rbouch8828]

John,

Thank you very much!

Roland

[rbouch8828]

I have followed all of you above, with lots of input from Joe! I couldn't have done it without his help!!! I now have my engine and transmission on the Harbor Freight dolly, which I also slid out the side, using the engine hoist to lift the front of the car.

Now it is time to clean/repair/replace!

Best to all,
Roland

[johnk]

Congrats Roland! Its nice to get it out of there.

FYI I thought I was smart using mt Harbor Freight creeper for a dolly until I saw they had real dollies that would have worked just as well for under $10 buck!