Hey Everyone,

I had someone reinstall my headers after getting them ceramic coated. I am getting ready to fire up the car. I noticed that 2 out of the 3 bolts are not in the engine bracket that the k-member and engine mount are bolted to (see pics). I have the BMR engine cradle. The long bolt nut on the engine mount will have to come off so I can get to the far left bolt hole onto the engine bracket. For the middle bolt, the bracket hole is not quite lined up with the block hole and I can't get the bolt through. Any ideas on how to get them lined up so I can get the bolts in. I was thinking about removing the long bolt nut and tapping back the bolt for the far left. For the middle, I just need to let the engine up about a quarter inch. Also, will loosen the right side bracket bolt. I'm attaching pics of the bracket and the view of the engine mount in the car. Seems like I will have to jack up the engine on its own. Do I put a block of wood under the oil pan? I'm not familiar with this setup and could use some help. I don't want to drive the car as it is now.

Bracket. Only right hole is bolted to the block.

Middle bolt hole at top of the photo. I installed the nut missing in the pic.

 

I've never jacked up the engine by the pan, but I think with some wood under it to distribute the load it would be okay to move it enough to get the engine mount bolts back in the block. Just be aware that you are dealing with around 600lbs of metal. Wouldn't hurt to hear from a couple others just to make sure it's okay. Looking around the net with Google seems to suggest that wood under the pan is okay to lift it up a little.

Myself, I would pick up the front of the engine with an engine hoist. This is what i do when putting the engine and trans back into the car. Jack on the trans and a chain between the heads(bolts for chains as short as possible while still fully engaged into the head holes to support the load). Going up with both a little at the time. You would only need the chain across the heads, but I also have off most of the accessories and the brackets removed from the front of the engine when doing it. So, this may not work for you. You also would need an engine hoist with a boom long enough to clear the nose of the car. Again, remember, this thing is heavy so be careful.

A chain on just one of the heads may be enough to lift that side to get the bolts in the bracket.

 

Hi Ace 1252. Thanks for the suggestion. I looked in my Haynes manual last night - I almost forgot they existed with the invention of the internet. Haynes is still a good reference! It suggested jacking up the engine from the oil pan with a block of wood underneath, but only "slightly" I was able to get the engine jacked up just enough so that I could get the bolt in for the middle hole. I had to give it a few tries and use a die to clean the threads after a few failed attempts, as well as oil the bolt The other bolt will be more difficult to get in as I have to remove the nut on the long engine mount bolt and tap the bolt back until it is flush, but not completely out. I will support the engine with the block of wood, but shouldn't have to raise it. I will post an update.