Thexton 419X GM Engine Moving Tool

[jamesemery728]

Anyone use this tool? Any tips for the proper procedures for using it, like putting the trans in neutral, etc. do's and don'ts would be appreciated.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I can't say i've used one, but i've never heard anything but good words about them.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

I don't have one but would really like to. Yes, put the trans in N before rotating the engine.

 

[tonydanzah]

how does that thing work?

 

[caper]

I've had one for twenty years now,great tool.Always put the car in neutral and go slow when jacking the engine forward,making sure to look around and make sure your not putting too much strain on fuel hoses,power steering lines and such.Keep an eye on the exhaust pipe as well,I've had a few cars over the years that needed exhaust flange/donut gasket work after the stress of moving the engine caused the weak flange to give out.

 

[blackedv]

i wont doubt its a good tool but the same thing can be accomplished with a ratchet strap

 

[Danglerb]

It does look kinda handy, but I wonder if maybe making the jump to some kind of porta power hydraulic unit might not work out better?

Straps don't always pull things exactly where you want them to go. I could see using both a strap and a spreader thing for safety, and making the space right where you need it.

 

[tonydanzah]

I am still not sure what Im looking at?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

You remove the gearbox mount and fit that in its place. then with the screw you can tilt the engine forward, for changing plugs and accessing the rear of the engine for work.

 

[tonydanzah]

ahh

........

 

[caper]

It does look kinda handy, but I wonder if maybe making the jump to some kind of porta power hydraulic unit might not work out better?

Straps don't always pull things exactly where you want them to go. I could see using both a strap and a spreader thing for safety, and making the space right where you need it.

The tool works really good as it is and it's safe to boot.Using a hydraulic porta power version wouldn't allow for safety in the event of a hydraulic failure.This isn't a high torque application so a threaded bolt works quick and easy.Only takes a few seconds to tilt the engine far enough ahead to access the rear bank of cyls.

 

[Coach James]

What type of car are you going to work on? I used it to rotate the engine on a friends Grand Prix a few years ago. No other way we could get to the plugs in the back.

Coach

 

[tonydanzah]

so it goes in place of those front motor mounts?

 

[bgott]

Cheap, too.

http://www.tooltopia.com/thexton-419x.aspx

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Well isn't that slick. I've never seen one of those before.

 

[Coach James]

Cheap, too.

http://www.tooltopia.com/thexton-419x.aspx

That is the cheapest I've ever seen it! I may be ordering my own at that price.

Coach

 

[Stephenw]

Here's how I do it...

Put the car in park. Remove the "dog bone". Push the whole car opposite the direction you want to move the engine. For example; if you want to move the engine forward to work on the backside, push the car backward. This will tilt the engine toward the front of the car. After the engine is in the desired position, set the parking brake to hold it in place. For added safety, chock the wheels.

 

[iateadonut]

I was looking for a tool like this, so I bought one from NAPA (at their suggestion) for my 2000 Pontiac Grand Am SE. It doesn't seem to fit anywhere. I can't find a dogbone mount.

Any experience with what to do in lieu of this to get to the spark plugs in the back?

 

[J.A.F.E.]

There are two dogbones and both must be removed. The right (passenger) side is the side the tool goes in.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

this tool can sure speed up a valve cover gasket job. did my first vehicle without one and my second vehicle with one. cut my time in half. and the tool is affordable enough there was no reason for me not to get it.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

That one bends

 

[Danglerb]

Picture helped a bunch, I thought this was for something else entirely.

 

[saxmonster]

Since I am a noob once both dog bones are removed and the car is in park how hard is it to move my 03 impala. Because the car is in park and the trasmission is connected to the engine it now has play to move backwards to push the engine forward? Can I over push the car back to far and wreck something in the engine? Do the wheels actually move which rotates the engine. Just afraid I am going to ruine something.

If I get this tool and the car is in netura lwith the parking brake on and wheels blocked can i still move the engine with this tool? Does it matter what side the tool goes on?

I am asking questions cause I am pretty good with tools but just never tilted an engine and I am looking to do my valve cover gaskets in my 03 impala.

Thanks guys.

Here's how I do it...

Put the car in park. Remove the "dog bone". Push the whole car opposite the direction you want to move the engine. For example; if you want to move the engine forward to work on the backside, push the car backward. This will tilt the engine toward the front of the car. After the engine is in the desired position, set the parking brake to hold it in place. For added safety, chock the wheels.