Access To Engine
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Access To Engine
This may be the most basic of questions, but how do you guys get to the different parts of your engine (from the top) to work on them?
I need to change the o rings on my fuel bowl drain valve and even with a two step ladder, I can barely get to a position where I can see what I'm doing...and I'm 6'2".
Laying across the engine is a bit painful and I'm afraid I'm going to break a connector of something and cause myself more problems. The pain I can take. It's more of a fear of breaking something else or accidentally knocking off a connector.
I need to change the o rings on my fuel bowl drain valve and even with a two step ladder, I can barely get to a position where I can see what I'm doing...and I'm 6'2".
Laying across the engine is a bit painful and I'm afraid I'm going to break a connector of something and cause myself more problems. The pain I can take. It's more of a fear of breaking something else or accidentally knocking off a connector.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
Get an old comforter from a large bed, or a doggie bed, or something similar. Lay it across the front of the radiator and intercooler and just lay on top. I'm 6' 250lbs, and have spent many hours in that position with no damage yet.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 4
From: Seattle
Here's another couple of options that make it easier:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-platform.html
Werner 39-1/2 in. x 12 in. x 20-9/16 in. Aluminum Work Platform-AP-20 - The Home Depot
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-platform.html
Werner 39-1/2 in. x 12 in. x 20-9/16 in. Aluminum Work Platform-AP-20 - The Home Depot
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
I'll admit that I was standing on either a chair or my front bumper platform in order to get up high enough to lay on the engine, and they were both very helpful for working around the front of the engine... I only used the old padded comforters while reaching into the back portions under the cowl while working on the turbo, up-pipes, and rear valve cover bolts.
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Sounds like my 150lb Rottweiler is going to lose his bed for awhile after sending the cover through the wash to get rid of the dog hair. thanks all
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
No need to wash it... just get a cheapo paper painting tarp and toss over the top of it before you lay across it.
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Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Excellant idea, but I think that if it's too much hair for the engine, it probably needs to be washed anyway.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 19
From: Archdale,N.C.
I have a shop to do most things but some things I do outside. I used a trackhoe and dug out two holes to pull the front wheels down into. I can do turbo work standing on the ground, and it's a 4x4.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
I use a 3-foot folding aluminum step ladder I bought at Lowes. The top rung is a large platform for sure footing if I need to get into/out of the bay. It's very stable, meaning I haven't been ground-bound... yet.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 820
Likes: 3
From: Central OK
If you don't have any fancy stuff to put on the engine you can do what I did when I rebuilt my fuel bowl.
- Call loudly to wife. If neighbors are outside, wave.
- Tell wife to pull up a chair and keep the drinks cold.
- Climb up on radiator housing. Shake tush at wife. If neighbors are out, shake at them too.
- Place knees on rubberized plastic thingy that covers AC condensor, left hand on AC compressor, right hand on wrenches.
- This completes the fuel bowl removal pose. You should now be in a downward dog position with your wife staring at your backside.
- Try not to fall off when she hoots and cheers. Give neighbors thumbs up
- Take out fuel bowl and rebuild. Reverse to re-install.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 511
Likes: 2
Also, I found it easier to turn my small ratchet with the torx bit after removing the heating element connector, as well as the housing/connector immediately behind where you are working...near the turbo....I think it was the Air Intake Heater whatever the hell it is ;-)
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 687
Likes: 15
From: Lake Charles, LA
Im 6'3" and over 300#, I typically have a small speaker box that came out of my old jeep that is just the right height to stand on and reach all the things in front without much issue. It probably comes up to about the height of the platform in Brads picture above. Last summer when i rebuilt the turbo, i used a a large piece of cardboard box to lay over the front, with a dog bed covered with a sheet on top of cardboard, but i had a step ladder in front of truck to rest my feet. It wasnt always comfortable, but i was able to reach everything and nothing was broken with my fat @$$ laying on it. Iffin it worked for me, im quite certain it will work for you....
