Jacking Instructions
 

I’m new here and this is my first post. I recently purchased a ‘28 Sport Coupe. I’ve been on the fence about keeping it as it needs quite a bit of engine work. That being said, what is the proper and safe way to jack up one of these and support it? I somehow get the idea that it’s done differently. I would need to remove the oil pan and probably piston #1. Thanks

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

I have a heavy duty floor jack and four jack stands. I jack in the center of the front axle and on the differential housing, although several people will tell you not to do that for fear of bending the rear axle. I put the jack stands just inside of where the wishbones attach to the front axle to assure that they do not slip outward and put then at an angle. The rears I put near the wheels with enough room to do any work on the brakes.

I have a couple of the small ramps that I can drive the car up on, one under each wheel, in the front or in the back depending on where I want to crawl under. I will sometimes jack up the car with the floor jack and put the ramps under the wheels and then, when done, just drive off.

Do not use concrete blocks as then can break. As in all work under any car, safety is the primary concern. I shake the car when it is up to make sure that it is secure. A lift is a great addition to any garage although I don't have the overhead room for one and there is no place outside that is level enough.

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

Thanks. Jack stands under the front axle, then?

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

Thanks!

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

WELCOME-Best wishes with your new Sport Coupe, you will hear all kinds of good advise
and answers to questions you might have here on the Barn.

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

The thing you don’t want to do is put a jack under the radius arms. They are not strong.

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

To be clear, on the front axle.

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

I usually jack under the front axle at the perch. Jack stands one at a time

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

And buy the best Jack stands you can find. The most expensive (read quality) are far cheaper than an ER visit or your funeral. When I have my car on the stands I leave the floor jack under whichever end I'm working on just as an added safety measure.

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

Normally, a Model A doesn't need to be jacked up to remove the oil pan.

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

Some of us are skinnier than others!

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

Ditto on keeping a bit of weight on the floor jack even with jack stands. I always put a small piece of wood in the cradle of my floor jack to help it conform to whatever I'm jacking on (the front axle is not flat on the bottom, it's wedge-shaped). The wood may crack as it conforms to the shape of what it's against but that's OK.

And on the subject of jack stands - I see that there are now some aluminum jack stands on the market. The engineer in me says that there is no reason that an aluminum product, properly analyzed, cannot be engineered to an application to be just as strong as steel, but the old fart in me also says (and louder) that steel is real. I have a couple of steel jack stands that have followed me from place to place since the 60's or 70's that are heavy, yes, but that I have absolute confidence in. Newer stuff just seems flimsy by comparison.

Minimum capacity on the new jack stands seems to be 2T. A Model A itself is a hair over a ton (say 2600 lbs, varies by body type) so you're not coming close to capacity at 650 lbs/corner.

JayJay

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

Like JayJay said.

I cringe at the cheap stuff Harbor Freight sells:eek: Why cut corners pay for GOOD quality equipment. Don't go on the cheap.

You will be asking yourself that very question just as you slip into unconsciousness from the anesthetic they are giving you as they are about to amputate that leg that was mashed and mangled from a car falling on it.

But I saved a few bucks:p

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

I'm trying to lose weight, really I am! lol So, I wouldn't have to jack the car up to do this?

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

As long as you can get underneath the car, there's plenty of room to remove the pan without jacking the car up. I'm not getting any slimmer, and I sure as heck aren't where I was 50 years ago, and I regularly go under the car without jacking it up. I only jack it up when I need the wheels free.

You might see if you can find a scrap of carpet or a large piece of cardboard to lay on, makes it a lot more comfortable.

JayJay

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

No need to jack for an oil change. You want the pan level anyway. Get large sheets of cardboard from big box stores like Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. It's free!

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

If jacking the differential by placing the jack under the banjo every model A would have a bent axle.

Re: Jacking Instructions- Defective Harbor Freight jack stands
 

Note that some Harbor Freight JACK stands were recalled

THEN THE "Replacement STANDS" were recalled as defective. Guess that SOME of HF ENGINEERS DID NOT PASS engineering 101!

first batch recalled in May 2020.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...llapse-recall/


Then in July 2020 the REPLACEMENT batch was recalled!
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...h-jack-stands/

Re: Jacking Instructions
 

I have some 12x15 x20” hardwood blocks and always place under things jacked for “insurance “