All's I need....

[LeonV]

My hesitation is simple. This is the 3rd 280z I've owned and all of them had a serious leak on that particular stud. I'm sure it's a coincidence but I will err on the side of caution this time around. Thank you for the kind words Johnny Haywire. When I bought the car it would pull like a tractor and then fall flat on it's arse. I knew the potential was there and after looking around the www.com and reading everything I could, I started removing the engine. I've found all kinds of small problems that would have gone unnoticed had I continued driving the car. Now I know I have a good strong heart beat I can start putting lipstick on my little blue pig.

An exhaust leak at the stud has nothing to do with lifting the engine from it.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

The trick is to keep the lifting connection to the stud tight, and not just a chain on a bolt. Put large washers on the head side and keep the chain tightly wedged with another washer and nut.

siteunseen, if you would like a set of OEM lifting loops to borrow you are welcome to my spare set.

[siteunseen]

Motor's back where it belongs. Nothing bent or scratched. Didn't even break the plastic hood rod clip on the radiator support. My Dad came over and we where getting it in just fine when my nosy neighbor and his father in law got involved. "What do you need? up or down, front or back, left or right?" Drove me nuts like a pirates wheel. Next time I'm shutting the garage doors. I guess I got lucky and I do have skinny arms but it was no trouble removing the bellhouse bolt that I used as a rear lifting point. All's good in Alabama. I will crank it this weekend. Thanks for everyone's help.

[grantf]

good job! (keaping you're cool with the extra help). Hope it fires up nice.

[Jeff G 78]

Thumbs up! FYI, the trick to protecting the hood support clip is to tape a WD-40 lid over it. The small red lid is just big enough and will give you warning that you are too close.