<VV> engine removal

[djtcz@comcast.net]

> From: "Scott Ham" 
> Subject: Engine removal 
> I just pulled my engine and drive train out last night. I built a cradle to set 
> the engine on and lifted the car off with two floor jacks. The engine came out 
> pretty easy but I don't know how I'm going to be able to line up the tranny cross member when I put everything back in. The car sits so low when the engine 
> is resting on the cradle there's no way to look under it to line things up. Any suggestions? 
>
I'd reverse the procedure. It's been QUITE a while, but I'm pretty sure I recall putting the car on (2) stands, toward the rear. The engine balanced pretty well (on the oil pan?) on the floor jack's cradle, using a square of thick plywood to spread the load out. I might have used a ratchet tie-down or something similar as insurance to keep the engine on the jack, but I'm thinking a better solution would have been to secure the plywood to the jack. With the tail high the level engine automatically engaged the trans/front crossmemember first.