Hi all,

I have a 70 Nova. I need to jack up the engine to remove the oil pan. Between the two main cross members, there is a short metal connector with a round hole in it. It's blocking my access to the harmonic balancer. According to the service manual, I'm supposed to use tool J-8105 (a steel rod) through the round hole to make contact with the balancer. Someone told me that I can cut the connector off the cross members since it doesn’t contribute the subframe integrity. Is this true?

Thanks

I would think so, though it does help prevent anything you run over from catching on the cross member. I would try a bottle jack on blocks first though. (I am not that crazy about the idea of lifting the motor by the crankshaft snout). I do not know how much money you intend to spend on your hobby buying tools, but a hydraulic "Port-a-Power" comes in very handy and can be had from $80 to $120. (I used to tug, push, pull, and lift motors by hand when I was younger, but I have grown smarter with age).


Big Dave

If removing the pan while the engine is in the car you run the risk of crushing a hand or arm if it is not supported well. The engine can be raised using the oil pan with a board between it and the jack. After raising it up high enough to remove the pan place some blocks of wood between the motor mounts and let the wieght of the engine rest there. It is much safer than having a jack or a stand under the front of the engine.