Pushing one over with engine still in?

[dunketh]

As subject.
I want to push my three door on its side to get to the bottom of things - literaly.
Cant be bothered pulling the lump.

Is it still an easy job? I have mental images of the engine snapping its mounts and falling sideways but I guess the box holds it too.
Can someone who's done this tell me how many optimistic hairy blokes it takes?
Cheers

[MarkyB]

3 or 4 should do it.
It helps if you jack it up and put the wheels on ramps as the first part of the lift is hardest.
Don't rush and when you get it on the balance point 2 move to the other side to ease it down.

Give some thought to what is loose in the car and what may leak!

[bmcecosse]

I think the biggest problem will be getting it safely back down on it's wheels - without dropping it..... Is this another lunchtime job ??

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Just incase you hadnt thought of it, make sure you drain all the fluids (petrol oil water) remove the battery and interoir and dont forget to leave the doors unlocked.

My Dad worked in a BMC dealers back in the day and remembers a car that only had a key lock on the drivers side being tipped over on a frame to weld, something inside caught fire and they had to watch it burn as the ps door was locked and there was no way in to put out the fire............

[Obtuse]

Be very sure of your axle seals or budget for new brake shoes...

[Obtuse]

Be very sure of your axle seals or budget for new brake shoes...
(or drain the axle, of course)

[bmcecosse]

Definitely drain the axle - and the gearbox and the engine....and the petrol tank - and put a plastic film on top of the brake master cylinder and then screw the cap on......and of course remove the battery.

[beero]

And make sure your engine and gearbox mounts are good and strong!
I have just done this and it took 3 men without the engine, gearbox, battery, fuel tank, wings, seats, carpets or trim.

[MarkyB]

Why drain the gearbox?
I generally do them drivers side up and leave all the oil in, if it had to go on the other side I'd drain the engine oil as I figure it would come out of the dip stick hole.
If the rear axle seals don't leak in service, why would they start to with the car on it's side?

[dunketh]

Is this another lunchtime job ??

Yes, with an email going around the office for volunteers.

[MarkyB]

Who had another Wheatabix this morning? Please meet me in the car park

[dunketh]

lol - I might use that!
I do everyones home computers so its time to call in the favours!

Be very sure of your axle seals or budget for new brake shoes...

and the petrol tank

remove the battery

Has none of the above... already budgeted for replacement (of pretty much the whole ruddy car ).

[RAS489]

Just done the job this weekend. I kept raising one side with tyres then my son and me put it on its side with a home made jig off this forum. I dropped the engine/axle oils, interior out but just reading this thread forgot about the passenger door drat and double drat.
Good luck with the turn over and watch for the leg shake if you have not enough people power,
RAS489

[dunketh]

lol cheers.
Concentrating on panels at the moment, the poor shell is being ignored due to the weather.

[brixtonmorris]

I wont be buying it when your finshed.

[dunketh]

I wont be buying it when your finshed

I should think it would be a very good propostion when finished - given that 90% of the car would be new.
Though, to be fair, it will have been built by me - first time I've wielded a welder and what a way to learn!

[brixtonmorris]

Good luck.