Sump bolts

[Dave Wheatley]

Anybody found a way of undoing/tightening the front sump bolts without removing the bonnet, undoing the engine mountings, slinging the engine, and lifting it to get at the bolts? All my sump bolts that I could get at were slack and I'm assuming the front ones will be too.
Perhaps a jack under the sump might be simpler?

[Andrew Tilney]

Dave you don't need to remove the bonnet, to get a crane in, just tie it back

[Dave Wheatley]

Thanks Andrew, I don't have access to a crane, so I'm hopng that a jack will lift the engine high enough, otherwise, I will put up with the oil damp sump for a while. Car is now laid up till next April, and a few more jobs to do.

[Michael Barclay]

Hi Dave
Had to change the sump gasket on my B last year. Hit the same problem with accessing the front sump bolts due to the cross member. I did it by disconnecting the exhaust at the manifold to allow the engine to be raised. Then undo the front engine mountings at the body side. Jack up the engine under the sump then place a couple of pieces of 2x1 wood between the engine mounts and body engine brackets then lower the jack. This should raise the engine sufficient to give you the clearance you need to get a spanner on the bolts. The sump bolts should only be tightened to 6 lb ft. don't over tighten or you could distort the sump where it seals to the block. Hope this helps
Mike Barclay

[Dave Wheatley]

Thanks Michael. That's good. Thanks for reminding me to undo the exhaust!

[Paul Hollingworth]

Got to mine OK by just running the nuts to the end of the threads on the engine mounts then lifting under the sump. I could then get the front ones with an open ender. I cant remember whether I had removed the front pulley at this stage.

[Dave Wheatley]

Better still Paul. Thanks! It could be a week or two before I can get round to it now, but I will report back on this.
Thanks to all contributors.
Dave