<VV> Drive train fixture for floor jack

[Chris & Bill Strickland]

I've never kept count of the times I've removed or installed Corvair 
drivetrains (I did an 'engine only' once, but 'only once'), and all I've 
*ever* used is a floor jack, with the car on jack stands on the floor.  
Perhaps if I'd used an overhead hoist, I could see the value of the 
"fixtures", but I haven't and I don't. If I did have a hoist (someday, 
the pads are poured into the floor), I would probably use it to set the 
engine/drivetrain on a wheeled table, and then use the hoist to lift the 
car onto & off the engine.

Perhaps one of the differences is that I've always used a commercial 
Hein-Werner or Walker old-style floor jack, with a nice large (say 6-8 
inch diam) saddle and generally an old buffing pad between the two.  
Most of these cradle fixtures I've seen do not appear to me to cover the 
central balance point for the drivetrain.  Perhaps, if I was trying to 
use one of these modern style "toy" floor jacks, I could see the value, 
but with the risks to personal safety, I think I would invest in one of 
the motorcycle/engine 'lifts' that seem readily available for under a 
hundred bucks, or buy a "real" floor jack, although in the new parlance, 
what used to be a commercial 1-ton floor jack is now called a 3-ton and 
is probably the equivalent of an old 3/4-ton -- maybe check out auctions 
for closed car dealerships, tire shops, and so on.  If your twelve year 
old kid can pick it up, either it is not 'heavy duty' enough, or your 
kid is an NFL 'prospect'.  (I was going to say "wife" but that would be 
a sure ticket to trouble.)

an example at: http://www.toolsurge.com/prodview.asp?sku=HW-W93652

My current jack lifts from 3½ inches to 20½ inches and has a sorta 
squarish saddle that measures nearly 9 inches across the diagonal.  A 
good brand name floor jack is an investment in safety and convenience 
that you should all have as one of your basic shop tools, imo.

Lift & Lower Carefully,

Bill Strickland