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Econo jacking for gas tanktranmotor- on soft sandy driveway
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Benjamin Gell
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:30 pm    Post subject: Econo jacking for gas tanktranmotor- on soft sandy driveway Reply with quote

Help? I really don't want to do another fuel tank with hands, feet, toes and nose.
Harbor Freight?
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MarkWard
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hate to state the obvious, but the empty tank is fairly easy to manuver around. Worse case, you enlist a helper.
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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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..
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Benjamin Gell
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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Phishman068
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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Benjamin Gell
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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. Shocked
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-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..
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seanjenn
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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Benjamin Gell
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 3:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 3:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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redlinedave
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 3:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

you can also just dig a trench under your van and work in that.
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Vango Conversions
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 3:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 4:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

redlinedave wrote:
you can also just dig a trench under your van and work in that.

Shocked pics or it didn't happen Laughing
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.
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 4:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 4:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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?
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 5:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

you dont have to go so deep
maybe something you can lay down in and slide under van

http://www.tennesseefarmsale.com/images/oilchangepit.jpg
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 5:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It doubles as a meeting place for all the snakes, mice, insects, etc. In a 1/2 mi radius. Laughing
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 5:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kgold708 wrote:
It doubles as a meeting place for all the snakes, mice, insects, etc. In a 1/2 mi radius. Laughing


You can keep that down if you just let the oil drain right into the trench. Shocked Laughing

Seriously though, not a bad idea.
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.


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