"Oil Change Pit" do or don't?

[challenger70]

I have a relatively small garage 20x20ish that I park my 2 muscle cars and Harley in. Needless to say space is tight I am planning on getting my floor redone in the spring and am pondering an oil change pit. Any reason to not add one? what is the typical dimensions (if there are) and what do I cover it with when I am not using it that can support the weight of a 3,400-3,800lb car? dumb idea? I appreciate any input.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Insurance, liability, flooding, permitting, local laws. Many reasons not to get one.

Sad, but that is the way it is these days.

Jim

 

[HOTFR8]

I've just built one in my extensions. The link below "Sheddwellers."

 

[challenger70]

Insurance, liability, flooding, permitting, local laws. Many reasons not to get one.

Sad, but that is the way it is these days.

Jim

Hmmm good points I didn't think insurance/local regs would be an issue with a private garage... The concrete guy did say he would have to check the water table if I wanted to proceed. I primarily use race ramps right now but it would be nice to stand under the car which is not happening even with a lift without redoing the roof cross beams (not sure what the official term is) which are probably 10 feetish from ground level and changing to a garage door that opens more "up than over". I do have a fairly high roof height if I could overcome those 2 major obstacles and be able to use a 4 post lift.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Check with your city/county. They can tell you the rules on it. Insurance is another big one. Here in Virginia they are nearly outlawed for private garages.

Jim

 

[bdamico]

Still pretty awesome though. Seen some cool ones around here

 

[R68GTO]

If you decide to put in a pit, make sure you have proper/adequate ventilation. Service pits collect gasoline fumes and create a potential explosion hazard. The service pits we have in our Class 8 truck shops are all equipped with automatic powered ventilation using explosion proof fans. Do not skimp or cut corners with this issue.

 

[Orangestang]

I rented a garage in Mt. Prospect Il. back in the 90's it had a pit about 2'x5' it was always filling with water. I hated it.

 

[nehog]

The one thing that keep me from doing a pit: Get tools, climb down, start work, find you have wrong tools, climb up, get more tools, climb down, do more work, realize you forgot parts, climb up, get parts, climb down, realize you need to pee, climb up, pee, climb down. Then the phone rings.

 

[challenger70]

This is getting a bit more complicated and involved than I was planning on, might go in the don't pile. Thanks for the advise and ideas everyone.

 

[HOTFR8]

This is getting a bit more complicated and involved than I was planning on, might go in the don't pile. Thanks for the advise and ideas everyone.

C'mon take up the challenge. I did with mine and it is working well. Mine is for private use and I still intend to ventilate it. I am looking into all the posibilities to do so away from the commercial ventilation use pit. Wind and solar will be two I will look into to vent it.

 

[bglad]

Hey 1969, awesome car!

 

[bazzateer]

Check out these; http://mech-mate.co.uk/Motor-Pits.html