Lift for engine out question.

I'm thinking of a lift for doing an engine out. I don't care for the 2-jack method and really don't want a 2 or 4 post lift. Does anyone have experience with or know if a scissors lift, like this Dannmar Cadet 6000XL Mid-Rise Scissor Car Lift can be used? The lift height is fine. I'm wondering if the lift platform would interfere with dropping the engine.

 

FYI, if cost is an issue:

MaxJax Portable Two-Post Lifting System by Dannmar

 

I don't know about the Dannmar because I have never seen it in person but the snap-on and Bendpak MD-6XP do work well and are safe. Be very careful about cheap lifts, the harbor one doesn't have auto safety and is somewhat sketchy looking. I have the Bendpak installed in ground (which you could do for any scissor lift) and it is well made and works superb. It also works great for my dd cars and pickup!

BendPak MD-6XP Mid Rise Lift, 6,000 Lb. Capacity, Portable

 

Cost vs safety...one out weighs the other every time. Be careful doing this job. Your playing with a lot of weight and make sure the car is correctly balanced.

 

The important part of the question is will the scissors lift allow the engine to be dropped? Everything else, safety, balance... is a no brainer for me. I just don't want to buy a scissors lift and then find out the engine won't clear when lifting the body off.

 

johnk, I used the Bendpak MD-6XP scissor lift to complete the major on my 355 spider. No problems. Invaluable tool!
If you want more info, PM your number. Discuss at your convenience.

 

Thanks. Nice direct answer that the old man can understand.

 

Here is mine; http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/142400543-post25.html

With any scissor lift to get a car as low as the 355 on you have to either build ramps (as simple as laying a 2in thick plank next to the lift) or sink the lift below floor level. Since I wanted to park over it and have minimal intrusion in to garage space I sunk it and wall mounted the pump/tank. And yes as said above, it works great for major and all other maint!

 

Yes, I followed you thread when you installed it. I'm thinking either the scissors lift or maybe the MaxJax DaveRocks mentioned. I just don't want to go to a full blown 2 post.

 

John,

I know this is not answering your question at all but I plan on a Mohawk A-7 but it 's nearly $6k. Is a great lift for low ceilings. I'm not in love with the MaxJack but it's a good price point and probably a good deal for the home.

 

Dammar is park of bend pak.

I would love a Mohawk lift but they couldn't get me the model I want at the moment so I'll wait until later to get that one. I did end up buying a Maxjax on sale the other day. I think it will be just fine as it works on the same principals as any othe two post that you installed in an existing concrete floor with anchors and bolts. I have been looking at the Maxjax since it came on the market.

 

I will say this in favor of the scissor lift, if you wanted to by able to pack it away when not in use like the principle behind the MaxJax, you could easily lock it in a closed position with a few bolts and then hoist it against the wall and secure it. It would only occupy as much space there as it would on the ground but leave the ground totally clear, a fraction of the storage needed for the MaxJax.

 

My garage has a 10' ceiling so I could put anything I like in there and it's long enough so there is plenty of room for storage. But I don't want something permanent. So a scissors lift or a MaxJax seem like the best options. I leaning toward the MaxJax (thanks Dave) since it leaves the entire under side open. It was not much fun changing the exhaust on my wifes Honda with the car up on jack stands.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

After reviewing threads on here an many other forums I went with the Bendpak MD-6XP and have confidence based on others experience that it will work for the engine out service. I originally wanted the MaxJax but I would highly recommend buying the anchors first drilling holes and testing the anchors. In my garage the concrete was the minimum depth and I could not get the anchors to grip and torque down. So that's when I decided to go with the MD6-XP. I can also say that Bendpak support has been fantastic. These guys back up their product and that's a rare thing these days.