Re: Out the bottom

Ray Frazier (rayf(at)airmail.net)
Sun, 21 Jun 1998 19:44:56 -0700

Jay, I just pulled the front suspension out in the manner you discuss (the engine was already out) and I think what you want to do may end up being very difficult. I used a standard shop jack and jack stands all the way up (18 inches) and the front suspension will just barely come out. in order to do what you want I just measured the engine and it would appear that in order to clear the engine it would be necessary to lift the car another 18 inches. Another issue to consider is that the unit, once removed, will be very difficult to maneuver. The front end I just took out is hard to move even without the motor attached.

P.S. Sorry to hear of your loss:-(

-----Original Message----- From: Jay Laifman <Jay_Laifman(at)countrywide.com> To: alpines(at)autox.team.net <alpines(at)autox.team.net> Date: Monday, June 22, 1998 8:44 AM Subject: Out the bottom

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>I previously inquired about pulling the engine out of the bottom of the
>Alpine with the front cross member and the transmission - like they do with
>the Tiger. Someone (who knows who he is) suggested to me that with the
>Tiger, they take the cross member off first. I pulled out my CAT Shop
>Notes and my Chris McGovern The Classic Alpine book, and now realize two
>things: (1) the Tiger's engine front motor mounts are not attached to the
>cross member, but the Alpine's are, and (2) Sunbeam actually assembled the
>Alpine by lowering the body down onto the engine/crossmember/transmission
>assembly. So, it seems it can be done. The only remaining question is
>"how?"
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>I think it comes down to two questions: (1) Once the rear of the trans is
>unbolted and the four cross members are unbolted, what the heck is there in
>the engine compartment area to attach the hoist to, in order to lift the
>body up? (2) How ridiculously high does the body have to be lifted to
>clear the top of the engine?
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>The CAT Shop Notes suggest that using jacks alone, the body can be lifted
>high enough to roll the front cross member with wheels on under the front
>valience. It seems that still leaves a few inches to go above the top of
>wheels that the engine sticks up. I don't have the car at home, so I don't
>know how much more is needed. I guess it also would be possible to take
>off the front wheels and lower the cross member down further on a really
>good floor jack, or some sort of flat dolly.
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>The whole reason I am considering this is to make the job of switching my
>good running gear over to a new Alpine body less of a hassle. I do not
>know if I am making more of a hassle than it is worth. But, the idea of
>pulling all this stuff out at once and then attaching it all at once, sure
>sounds easier.
>
>Jay
>'67 Bentbeam
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