Plywood covering oilpan space

One of the hardest things about installing an engine is trying to support it without denting the oilpan. Also, if you have to assemble and mount engine components before installation, you need to find a stable way to support it on a table top or counter.

I decided to cover the oil pan area with a piece of thick plastic [a 1mm thick plastic chopping mat], then a piece of 3/4" plywood. This was attached to the oil pan mating surface with bolts into the oilpan holes. On top of that piece of plywood, I mounted another using Niquid Nails adhesive [adhesive is drying in picture, awaiting the second piece of plywood].




This provides a flat, stable, strong surface, which allows the engine to be placed on any flat surface for attaching components. Also, it provides a surface strong enough to support a floor jack to raise the engine into place.



These plywood bases will add a lot of stability when mounting the engine components, because the engine will be able to sit on any flat surface. Also, it will provide a much better surface for lifting the engine with a floor jack.