Author |
Message |
Benjamin Gell Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2012 Posts: 107 Location: Tucson AZ
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:30 pm Post subject: Econo jacking for gas tanktranmotor- on soft sandy driveway |
|
|
Help? I really don't want to do another fuel tank with hands, feet, toes and nose.
Harbor Freight? _________________ '88 Vanagon Wolfsburg hardtop, 10cent WBXaust.
"My God! Its full of stars!" oh, wait...that's gravel. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17014 Location: Retired South Florida
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hate to state the obvious, but the empty tank is fairly easy to manuver around. Worse case, you enlist a helper. _________________ ☮️ |
|
Back to top |
|
|
j_dirge Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007 Posts: 4641 Location: Twain Harte, CA
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sheet o' plywood. as base or "floor".
Blocks of wood. to help space.. if jack doesn't reach where you need it.
Think it thru.. Should be a one person job. _________________ -89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Benjamin Gell Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2012 Posts: 107 Location: Tucson AZ
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes, plywood, blocks etc.
Helper won't do so well for engine, etc, for days at a time. And I don't have much in the way of ready helpers.
Apologies, I didn't really make myself clear - I am asking more whether I should get a "floor jack", what to look for in a jack, and whether a real cheapo one (Harbour Freight) is a bad idea.
BTW, I have some jack stands and always use other redundant support for vehicle.
I'm just looking to make it easier to work alone on fuel tank, replace engine mounts, whatever else, and have a jack that's more stable, faster and easier to use than the spare tire one for raising the car.
I know nothing about jacks, so...just thought I'd ask and see if anything occurred to y'all.
Thanks _________________ '88 Vanagon Wolfsburg hardtop, 10cent WBXaust.
"My God! Its full of stars!" oh, wait...that's gravel. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Phishman068 Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007 Posts: 1866 Location: Pittsburgh PA (ish)
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've got to agree with the gang here.... put that tank on your chest and lift it up.
I have done it with the help of a floor jack before and it's really not much help. If thats the case though, go buy one at walmart, autozone, etc. They usually sell some really small (DON'T TRUST THEM TO LIFT YOUR CAR!) ones for $20 or so. Wheels would be key for this job. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Benjamin Gell Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2012 Posts: 107 Location: Tucson AZ
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Ah, wheels, thank you.
By the way, the fuel tank was only such a royal pain because it's really dented upward, as is its support bar, by some violent high-centering incident. Gauge won't read right as a result. I have to take it down again because my new (7 mos.)fuel lines are dissolving! Vendor kit. So this time I've decided to try straightening out the tank and support bar. It should install a lot easier.
I'm also doing engine mounts and exhaust now. _________________ '88 Vanagon Wolfsburg hardtop, 10cent WBXaust.
"My God! Its full of stars!" oh, wait...that's gravel. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
MayorMcCheese Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2009 Posts: 652 Location: Lancaster PA
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Harbor freight floor jacks are fine. I've been using the blue aluminium "racing jack" without issue. If you use a floor jack on plywood watch for the jack sinking into the wood & the pad slipping and/or the van moving. _________________ wv2yb0252gg092706 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
j_dirge Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007 Posts: 4641 Location: Twain Harte, CA
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I bought my Harbor Frieght hydraulic floor jack some 25 yrs ago?
It loses height a little when loaded up.. and looks like hell... left out in the elements a few too many times.
Still works OK, though.. I no longer trust it without jackstands, though. _________________ -89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
seanjenn Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2009 Posts: 722 Location: TAOS
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Besides a good, fullsized floor jack, look into getting a motorcycle jack as well. When you see a picture of one you'll see why, excellent for lowering and jacking engines/trannys into place. Also available at Harbor Freight.
What kind of fuel line are you using? There's no way it should already be going bad. _________________ 1987 GL Sunroof
2.1 4 spd |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Benjamin Gell Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2012 Posts: 107 Location: Tucson AZ
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 3:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
seanjenn wrote:
Quote: |
What kind of fuel line are you using? There's no way it should already be going bad. |
Tell me about it. I have to check my reciepts to see for sure where I got it. Must give them a chance to make it right before making a big public scene. What is the ethical way to handle such an incident in this forum context?
I know, I'm hijacking my own jacking thread. _________________ '88 Vanagon Wolfsburg hardtop, 10cent WBXaust.
"My God! Its full of stars!" oh, wait...that's gravel. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kgold708 Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2011 Posts: 186 Location: Genoa IL
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 3:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Well if your gonna have 1 floor jack for now I suggest a plain old steel floor jack in the 2 to 2-1/2 ton range. Cheaper and stronger than the "race jacks", and more importantly much harder to knock over sideways, flex out of shape w/improper use, in other words safer especially when working alone. "Race jacks" are disposable IMHO. _________________ ASE Master Tech.
ASE L1 Advanced engine performance specialist.
ASE L2 Advanced electronic diesel engine specialist. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
redlinedave Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2012 Posts: 149 Location: dirty Oshawa
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 3:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
you can also just dig a trench under your van and work in that. _________________ 1985 Country Homes VW van 1.9L |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Vango Conversions Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Seattle, WA
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 3:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Just don't get the really cheap jacks from the auto parts store, they really suck. Too small in every dimension, plus you have to remove the handle and use it to unscrew the release valve. it gets old quick.
The harbor freight stuff isn't too bad. You just have to make sure all the bolts are snug and the thing is put together right before you use it. I have a "racing" jack and it's great if you need to move it around a bunch, it's much lighter than a big steel one, but won't last as long. I've had it for 3 years and it's doing okay with heavy use. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kgold708 Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2011 Posts: 186 Location: Genoa IL
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 4:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
redlinedave wrote: |
you can also just dig a trench under your van and work in that. |
pics or it didn't happen
But seriously if anybody has a cheap "race jack" w/a bit of wobble in it toss it now. Its not worth it, OTOH your kids WILL be using the 75lb steel harbor freight one. _________________ ASE Master Tech.
ASE L1 Advanced engine performance specialist.
ASE L2 Advanced electronic diesel engine specialist. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Rhinoculips Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2005 Posts: 918 Location: Keystone, Colorado
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 4:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I use a low profile Craftsman motorcycle floor jack like the one below. Works really well for lowering/raising your gas tank, engine and/or transmission. It's super stable and cradles your 'subject' very well. It's rated at 1500 pounds, so DO NOT use this jack to lift your van. Only for lowering/raising the big items underneath it. The long handle is removable to make it easy to slide all the way under the van. My driveway is super gravely, thus I use large sheet(s) of plywood as a 'floor' to roll said items out from underneath.
_________________ “May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” - Edward Abbey
Click to view image |
|
Back to top |
|
|
seanjenn Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2009 Posts: 722 Location: TAOS
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 4:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Benjamin Gell wrote: |
seanjenn wrote:
Quote: |
What kind of fuel line are you using? There's no way it should already be going bad. |
Tell me about it. I have to check my reciepts to see for sure where I got it. Must give them a chance to make it right before making a big public scene. What is the ethical way to handle such an incident in this forum context?
I know, I'm hijacking my own jacking thread. |
Any of the fuel hose kits that come from the the big vendors should be good to go. I've used hose from both of them with no issue.
Unless, either you accidentally clicked on the hose for a carbed engine....or they accidentally sent you the hose for a carbed engine. Still shouldn't dissolve, either way.
Any of that hose make it to the engine compartment?
What do you mean by "disolving" anyway? _________________ 1987 GL Sunroof
2.1 4 spd |
|
Back to top |
|
|
redlinedave Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2012 Posts: 149 Location: dirty Oshawa
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
kgold708 Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2011 Posts: 186 Location: Genoa IL
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 5:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It doubles as a meeting place for all the snakes, mice, insects, etc. In a 1/2 mi radius. _________________ ASE Master Tech.
ASE L1 Advanced engine performance specialist.
ASE L2 Advanced electronic diesel engine specialist. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
presslab Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2008 Posts: 1730 Location: Sonoma County
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 5:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
kgold708 wrote: |
It doubles as a meeting place for all the snakes, mice, insects, etc. In a 1/2 mi radius. |
You can keep that down if you just let the oil drain right into the trench.
Seriously though, not a bad idea. _________________ 1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16474 Location: Brookeville, MD
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Rhinoculips wrote: |
I use a low profile Craftsman motorcycle floor jack like the one below. Works really well for lowering/raising your gas tank, engine and/or transmission. It's super stable and cradles your 'subject' very well. It's rated at 1500 pounds, so DO NOT use this jack to lift your van. Only for lowering/raising the big items underneath it. The long handle is removable to make it easy to slide all the way under the van. My driveway is super gravely, thus I use large sheet(s) of plywood as a 'floor' to roll said items out from underneath.
|
X2! _________________ Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|