I jut fiinished removing and reinstalling my sons 5 speed trans on his front
drive car. I used a piece of 1-1/2 square tubing cut to span the engine
compartment and rest inside the fenders. We drilled a 1 in hole above the
lifting eye for the engine. Then took a 18" piece of 7/8 threaded rod and
welded a hook to the end of it. Ran the rod through the hole put a large
washer and nut on and hooked the egine lifting eye. We then tightened the
nut until it took the weight of the engine and used it to lift and lower the
engine to allow the trans to come out and go back in. Worked great but we'd
need to make another if we did a different car because of the fixed length.

--
Doug Arthurs
Kent Bridge, On

Check out my website at http://www.netrover.com/~arthurs/
"Leo Lichtman" wrote in message
...

Tim Marciniak wrote: (clip) I am thinking something tubular (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lets see if I can get a discussion started. Tubular would be fine, as
would
a number of other shapes. I picture using angle iron to fit on the edges
of
the engine compartment, next to the fenders (if you are in USA.) If you
have to buy a 20' length of angle, I suggest you weld two pieces together
to
form a T-section, for the rest of the bridge. In other words, two 4'
pieces
together would form the "bridge." Two one-foot pieces on each end, either
vertical or at about a 30 degree angle would give you the height. And, I
figure you can get it all out of one length of material, so that's all you
will have to buy. Any scraps that are left can be used to brace the
corners, if you want.

Probably 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 3/16 would be plenty strong, and still easy to
lift.