Lift driver's side of engine, how?

[Dino]

I can only assume that lifting the engine a bit on the driver's side will greatly diminish the amount of swearing I will be doing while replacing the gasket on the header.  So what exactly do I unbolt, where do I place the jack and how high can I jack it up without ruining anything?

[XH29N0G]

  

I'd like to know the right way too. 

I loosened the motor mount (removing the bolt) and lifted from the oil pan, which worked but also dented it - not good.

[Dino]

 

I'd like to know the right way too. 

I loosened the motor mount (removing the bolt) and lifted from the oil pan, which worked but also dented it - not good.

Someone may have done the same on mine as the oil pan is dented as well.  A good block of wood may prevent further dents but I'd rather not touch the oil pan at all. 

[justcruisin]

Yep, remove the bolt from the mount, best way to lift the engine is with an engine lifter from the top or a chain block. Only thing else that you need to do is unbolt the radiator shroud from the radiator and leave it hanging on the fan.

[AirborneSilva]

MANY MANY years ago I had to lift mine up to change the starter (w/headers), I unbolted the header from the collector, the motor mount and then I too jacked it from the oil pan (using a large piece of wood to ensure the weight was distributed as much as possible), the did LOTS of swearing, what a pain it was to change the starter 

[justcruisin]

Also I recall in my early days with limited gear, doing a similar thing - I jacked the car up on the k member, attached a chain from the engine to a beam in the garage and slowly let the car down. Just make sure you have a well controlled jack.

[Brightyellow69rtse]

Bottle jack and some wood will get it done.

[Dino]

Hmm I may have a bottle jack somewhere.  If not, that'll be a good buy anyway as I really don't care for the Charger jack!  

I don't have a hoist or beam strong enough to hold a car, that would be sweet though.  I'll do my best to protect the oil pan.  I'll google tham and see how much they are, maybe I should just replace mine since it's dented.

Thanks all!

ps: I don't have a fan shroud, is any mopar shroud for a 26" rad ok or do I need a specific one? 

[XH29N0G]

If yours is already dented, then I would go ahead with your original plan of lifting.  Mine was dented a fair amount (I think it is strongest at the bends and weakes in the middle) and I did not notice significant problems with oil pressure.  I also did not drive my car crazily. 

There are others who know a whole lot more about the geometry and problems that might arise who will pipe in if it is a problem.