Can't Get Engine Carrier Bracket Holes To Line Back Up With Engine

[PorscheServiceThen529Plan]

After replacing the water pump and T-Stat I have a jack holding up the engine with a board across the engine sump. Both Bentley and Wayne's book say only to apply slight support to the engine from the sump as it can't handle too much weight. As you can see from the pics I can't get the engine high enough relative to the engine carrier bracket to center the centering bolt in the engine carrier frame.  I think that's how I sheared it off trying to tighten it when it was too off center.  I thought it seems simple - just jack up the engine a touch more and the holes in the engine should move up and be centered on the bracket, but I am afraid to apply too much load on the sump and when I jack the engine up a touch I see the car lift so I stop and am paranoid. Could I please get some guidance? Keep jacking? move the jack to the lifting spot rear of the sump and jack? Why wouldn't the engine lift relative to the carrier bracket? -Aren't the engine mounts bearing the load so what is the bracket doing? many thanks for any help.

[Ahsai]

Have you loosen the rest of the bolts between the bracket and engine? If so, just loosen the bottom nuts of the engine mounts a bit (with the engine fully supported by the jack) the bracket should come down.

[PorscheServiceThen529Plan]

Yes all 5 nuts holding engine carrier bracket are way loose. Weird that it fit before but will try engine mount,many thanks.

[Ahsai]

Btw, from your photo, you don't seem to jack the engine at one of its strongest point (between your finger and the wood plank in the photo). Just jacking from the sump even with wood may be dangerous.

[Ahsai]

See post #1 the 5th and 6th photos http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/3404-putting-your-996986997987-up-on-jackstands/

Edited September 11, 2014 by Ahsai

[Chicagospeed996]

I had the same issue. The engine shifted to one side on the jack. Move the jack on its caster wheels to one side. Then try the other side as long as it's stable. That helped mine line up

[PorscheServiceThen529Plan]

Ahsai - As you suggested I moved the jack to that lifting point behind the sump instead of wood under the sump- thanks. That was making me nervous anyway. I tried your suggestion and loosened the nut on the engine mount that holds the engine carrier bracket on the motor mounts, which I was sure would solve the problem.  Strangely the bracket and engine moved in perfect tandem preserving the misalignent between the bracket and the bolt hole in the engine, even with quite a drop in the bracket on the mount's bolt.  Was totally puzzled, but thought I must need to jack the engine up higher to get the centering bolt hole to align with the carrier bracket hole, but all the instructions said just to slightly support the engine and I was already 1/4" above support only.  Out of frustration, I overcame my fear and jacked another 1/2" or so and whammo - problem solved. I was paranoid of damage from jacking the engine too far up into the car if the bracket was not holding it down, but it worked.

 

Chicagospeed996 - thanks, that was pretty much the problem (ps grew up next door in Wheaton IL - great place)

[Ahsai]

Glad you got it sorted. I think what happened was the bracket got caught with something on the engine so they moved in tandem but that extra 1/2" raise freed that up.

 

That jacking point is strong enough to raise the rear of the car (while putting tremendous force pushing the engine mounts up...so not recommended for jacking up the car) so it's safe to use it to jack up just the engine.

[PorscheServiceThen529Plan]

yes thanks.  my biggest worry was picturing the top of the engine bits getting smashed against I don't know what. Paranoia can really slow you down, but then the lack of it can get expensive too. 

[Chicagospeed996]

Yep! Right near me! Glad you got it figured out!