Either due to age or just not doing some things very often, I tend to forget things I've learned on past projects. It sure would be nice to have a "handy reference" somewhere.

For instance I am putting a new clutch in my '52. I used my chinese 3-ton floor jack to support the rear of the engine while I pulled the tranny and clutch. Next morning I came out and the engine was supported primarily by my exhaust, the POS jack had leaked completely down overnight!!! Naturally, the floor jack is on the only accessible are of the pan, so for the foreseeable future I'll be running out to the garage every couple hours to pump it back up....

I could curse the chinese, but to be honest it's happened to me before. I should have lifted the trans with the jack and put a jackstand under the engine pan. In the first place, the jackstand takes up less room. In the second place, it allows me to use the floor jack for other things (boat anchor comes to mind at the moment). It also eliminates the possibility of tripping over the jack handle and having the engine free-fall. (Don't ask....)

It would sure be nice to have something quick and simple to refer to before starting jobs like these! You don't find tips like this in the workshop manual.

 

Ross
I tried something like that.
I started a file that I would put such bits of wisdome in.
I discovered a major flaw in the process, If I didn't stop what I was doing when I discovered one of these factoids and immediately enter the note I would forget to.
OH, and just like now, (I forgot there were more flaws in the system.) I would forget to check these bits of wisdom, and jump right into a project.

We all need a follower that takes care of us, At least till the first time we slap the dog doo out of it.

 

Don't laugh but... I have taken a scribe and ENGRAVED cautionary messages on things. Of course, that presupposes you'll remember what you MEANT (3 years later) when you scratched "Not LEFT" on the side of whatever it is.

 

The way I figure it Ross is that the more painful the mistake, the more likely you are to remember it. In this case of your boat anchor jack I think you will probably remember next time around, afterall, running out to the shop every so often is a major pain.

I've tried the 'messageig myself" thing, but like Nuthin' said...I usually can't remember what the cryptic message meant........

Bobby

 

LOL -- I will admit to using a metal marker on all my cars' radiator panels to remind me what size wrench the oil pan drain plug is, and which side it's on!

 

Ross, can't quite remember which truck I was working on when I tried the following and that was when I had the engine proped up to change either Transmission or Clutch.
I used a block of wood to support the engine, and run it from between the frame rails.
It didn't leak and the engine was at the same spot the following day.
For what its worth to you it works.

 

I've done similar, usually with a piece of pipe and some chain. The problem was, I found this out after the tranny was out, and the jack was under the only place I could jack on the engine. I figured out if I turned the wheels all the way, a 4x4 post would clear the drag link and fit under the part of the pan in front of the jack. Did that and now I can relax....

 

I confess.... I take a Sharpie and write the Oil Drain Plug size on all my vehicles at the Radiator. I only have so many Brain Cells to spare. Why clutter them up with wrench sizes ?

 

Ross, the jack is not a real bad idea and most will leak anyway. I use my jack as you did, but everytime I get a new one, I take a dressed grinding wheel (pointed) and put in a series of notches in the lower end of the jack arm, When the jack is up, in the lifted position, I just use a small length of angle iron that I use as a prop (like small legs ) just for that. I have about 10-12 different lengths. Sometimes you just can't lift and then get a J-stand under the area. Jon

 

I learned years ago, I always use a jack stand with wood shims if needed.

 

Got a pic of that? I considered similar, but going across the jack frame. Good idea!

 

Jack at work shop up the hill , will do pix friday. The jack bar look like aligator teeth.