I have used a sawhorse spanning the engine compartment with a come-along winch. The sawhorse elevates the winch and gets it out of the way, leaving room to work if needed.
Don

----- Original Message -----
From: John Reynolds <kayakjr@COMCAST.NET>
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 10:16 pm
Subject: Re: Removing engine the German way

> If you have a couple of friends you don't even need a winch or to
> build anything. I used a pipe spanning the engine compartment left
> to right.
> Some wooden blocks against the rear seat kept the pipe from
> rolling forward. Tied straps to each end of the engine carrier and
> wrapped the straps
> a few times around the pipe. Each helper slowly releases the
> straps a lowers the engine. Note this was on an air cooled with
> the tranny removed
> at the same time. So exhaust, tranny, engine carrier and engine
> were lowered as a unit.
>
>
> Lowered engine onto a piece on plywood on PVC pipe rollers. Used a
> floor jack under tranny. After engine is down, I think we tilted
> tranny/engine and took floor jack away. Roll the baby on out!
>
>
> I have also used a motorcycle jack. Two friends had this idea
> separately. I didn't think much of it at first...until I tried it.
> One guy was a motorcycle guy, the other Porsche guy.
> I helped drop 3 engines that week with that method- AC Vanagon,
> H2O Vanagon and 911.
> Works very well.
>
>
> I do like the winch idea for working by yourself!
>
>
> John
> LiMBO
> 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
>