I'm replacing the water pumps and front motor mounts on a flathead V8 in my 1949 Ford. The manual just says to jack up the engine, but does not explain where it is best to do this. I did this way back in the 1960s when I was a teenager on a 1949 Ford sitting in somebody's back yard. Don't remember how I managed it back then.... :-( Is it safe to use a floor jack with a 2x6 wooden plank under the oil pan? Not sure if the load will distort the oil pan. Thanks for any help or other suggestions.
Maybe use an engine lift and pick the engine up that way? Personally, I think a board under the pan will work fine, but can't say it will. You could also look and see if there is any place down there to jack it up from, maybe fab up a cradle to use with a jack.
The front of the engine is over the suspension cross member ad not easy jacking point s can be found. A "cherry picker" from the top is possible (I have one), but then access to the underside to the pumps and mounts is really cramped. I have the luxury to have a 4-post lift in my garage. Which brings me back to how did I actually complete this task back in the 1960s without either a cherry picker or a 4-post lift? Maybe being young and naive back then is the way to go?....
I've used a board and jack at different times with different engines with no damage, maybe I've just been lucky. Young, naive, and more limber back then in my case. Ed
I replaced the pumps on my '51 by carefully jacking under the oil pan, using thick/dense padding on a board to minimize any pan distortion.
The Jalopy Journal
