Budget eBay Porsche 3.2 Carrera Project Car! #25 - Engine Install in Crazy Winds and a Grass Fire!!

[@HeidiandFranny]

Hi Everyone! We are back on our 1986 Porsche 3.2 Carrera! Whoohoo! Today we finally get the engine re-installed in the car, BUT... Holy cow... The weather turns partway through the project with sustained winds past 75mph with a max gust of 95mph! That makes things entertaining :) If that wasn't enough, I get to battle a large and very dangerous grass file that almost got the houses across the street. While I was dealing with the fire Heidi was evacuated by order of the fire department. It was a day not soon forgotten. Enjoy! Help support our channel and become a patron: www.patreon.com/heidiandfrannysgarage Link to those jack pads: amzn.to/2KoFwlk

[@mtnvalley9298]

So crazy that you all went through the same scary situation that we did up here, just days after your last video post. Thank goodness everyone is okay. loved the install btw! Greetings from Granby!

[@HeidiandFranny]

Franny, this was a crazy day. This was an awesome editing job. I know the audio was challenging with the wind. Nice job!!! It was an exciting day, that is for sure. Heidi

[@DustyPearl-13]

Franny, you are my new favorite HERO! You do what 90% of common men do NOT dare to do! May God give you health and a long & joyful life!

[@rpeterson223]

Franny, truly amazing you and Marcel installed the engine on your own, impressive!

[@HeidiandFranny]

We made a good team I think. Heidi too!

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

Wow...what a video. This is one for the books. You are all doing an amazing job!

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thank you so much!

[@jonathanmagness5370]

Franny is the only person I know who would put a engine back in the car in 60 mph winds

[@HeidiandFranny]

I know, right?? "If I only Had A Brain..." lol!

[@jonathanmagness5370]

@@HeidiandFranny I'd probably do the same thing

[@alecpalto9780]

This is so unreal, that kind of day that you will never forget and still be talking about in 20 years from now. Great video, sincerely amazed by your skills. Thank you.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks so much, Yup... one for the record book!

[@josefkrakel9136]

Aerodynamic engineering without a wind tunnel

[@hugotwenties]

Best video to date in my opinion, the reinstalling of an engine is cool to see, and with the wind and the fire it was really interesting! Franny mounting porsches and fighting fires as cool as can be, you are badass! Cheers from Barcelona, Spain!

[@soundpitchblack]

Here I am thinking I'm probably gonna get crushed by my car every time I change my oil and here you are mounting an entire engine on a dangling car. You are awesome.

[@HeidiandFranny]

I know that looks nutty, huh... I really think it was safer than those extra tall jack stands though...

[@sbfhawk4343]

Wow you made it look so easy. I did not realize how easy it is to swap in a engine on a rear engine car like the Porsche. Wow.

[@okgo8315]

Older 2.0, 2.2 70s Porsches were even easier to get the engines in or out, I used to remove mine in 20-30 minutes by myself......without a lift.👍🇬🇧

[@bitterchild7133]

WOW!!! putting in an engine in a wind storm and fighting fires... That was something to watch!!! I always like your garage layout

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks 👍 It was a pretty nutty day ;)

[@zendher]

Do you want to install the engine with or without emotion? - with emotion, for sure !! Lol!!!

[@HeidiandFranny]

lol! Certainly got that!

[@pepperpepperpepper]

When you showed the shackle, I was trying to calculate in my head if it will hold the car, since I use these on my sailboat. There are lesser quality boat parts that fail. Usually made in China. Sometimes in Italy. Then the wind kicked up, and conjured up a storm at sea - thankfully you were on land, but then... fire! This was a harrowing episode! Not sure I can get much sleep after this! I do have to say I was cringing the whole time the car was hanging over you... Thank goodness it's over! :)

[@judih.8754]

Great idea to lift the car. Moving the car around to match things up is a cool benefit. My goodness what a day. And here I was thinking what an idyllic place to live. I'm glad you all both safe. Thankfully you were home to call 911. Take care.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks Judi, It has been great for the 12 or so years we've been here. I figured since there are so few trees we should be good. Even the Everglades can burn. I think we will be fine, but it was pretty scary.

[@chrisfished]

This is impressive and I like that shirt!!!

[@3.2Carrera]

I'm scouring this video now as I just rolled my engine and transmission under the car. I tore it down a year ago and it's like I'm right back where I started now. I have the G50 so I'm going to install the new clutch slave cylinder and bleed it as well as the brakes before I lift the engine up into the bay. I can't express how helpful your videos are. And kudos to Heidi for the excellent camera work behind the scenes.

[@HeidiandFranny]

So glad they are helpful!

[@KeithShafer]

Wow. So glad the fire was put out before causing property damage. We have been through several devastating wild fires here in San Diego and it truly is amazing how fast they move. And congratulations on getting the engine and transmission back in the car. Very clever idea using the 4 post to swing lift the car.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks so much. Just after this there were some terrible fires west of Boulder. Many houses lost - Also up in Grand Lake. It all just happens so fast.

[@jrgenfriborg3508]

That was something. Engine in at 60mph wind, and fire in back hard. Not normal I think. You made it. And that engine look new good job you 2.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks! That was a very crazy day!

[@als57chev76]

Glad everyone is okay! You got the job done through determination, knowledge, and great communication with your helpers. Well Done under so much pressure!

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks so much! Heidi and Marcel were amazing :)

[@michelecrown2426]

This has been an amazing project. Kudos on getting the engine and trans installed under adverse conditions! And pat yourselves on the back for fire fighting. I know from experience how exhausting fighting brush fires can be. Glad to see the worse loss was a trampoline and all lives were safe, including the 4 legged ones :)

[@HeidiandFranny]

Yes, crazy day.

[@np4694]

Great work in challenging conditions.

[@davidbenson6979]

Very impressive Franny. Well done in a dreadfully tricky situation. Best Wishes from OZ.

[@petergillis3475]

Very nice work! Was it made easier by wearing a Chris Fix shirt? ;D

[@HeidiandFranny]

It was! I know he was there in spirit :)

[@m3horn]

Glad the two of you are okay and that the fire missed your house. All I can say is the two of you are very lucky.

[@malcolmscott4150]

Well done 👍 on the engine and transmission install without the added drama of a nearby fine and gale force winds - with it you’re just amazing well done and glad everyone safe now

[@SkyKing58318]

WOW! And I thought I had it bad when the heater went out in my garage...AWESOME WORK!

[@roscoejones4515]

Nice job, you all stayed calm through all sorts of adversity, both automotive and weather related!👍

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Holy Toledo! Glad you were all ok and the engine went in without too much difficulty!

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks Pat! It would have been a rather short day if it wasn't for all the fuss ;)

[@PatsGarageOnline]

@@HeidiandFranny I believe that for sure!

[@rippermcguinn]

Coolness maintained.

[@buickboy92]

That was quite the engine install! Glad everyone (and animals) was able to stay save. 👍

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks so much!

[@darryldeppe3228]

WOW!!! That was like watching a Cecil B. DeMille production! I am originally from Loveland and wondered how you two were doing up there between Golden and Boulder while the fires were going on and see my concern wasn't unwarranted. I'm always impressed with your ingenuity with using your 4-post lift, I have one too and luckily the runners are just wide enough to clear the engine mounts on my Porsches so it's just a matter of lowering the car onto the motor and transaxle. Glad to hear you're all safe and I'll never complain about rainy Seattle weather again!

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks so much! I can get the 356 engine out between the rails, but we would need another 4-5" for the 911...

[@vayabroder729]

Wow! Incredible how things go sometimes with weather. I am so glad that those fires were put out; very scary. The dry vegetation and the winds don’t help any. Very glad you’re all safe. It’s always a good call to not fully tighten things at some of the mounting points in order to be able to tweak and adjust so that you can put the fasteners on at the other mounting points; I’ve learned this through the years. This car is coming along wonderfully. Amazing work! Thanks for sharing.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks so much!

[@colinblankenship2401]

Nice job on the install

[@leroy9979]

Boy that engine looks neat. You have done a brilliant job.

[@J.W.W.]

Holy Smokes! What a video! 😉

[@HeidiandFranny]

I see what ya did there... :)

[@freerkderuiter8822]

Franny the firefighter to the rescue, or how an engine re-install turns out a little more exiting than expected. Jobs well done, both the engine installation and firefighting.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks Freerk! I had one of the fire fighters tell me that if it wasn't for all the neighbors work out there it could have turned out very differently. I'm bummed we won't be able to hove our usual Christmas party with all the folks on the street. It would be great to see them all again. It was quite the day...

[@freerkderuiter8822]

There's a Dutch saying that if I you translate it in English means: A good neighbor is better than a distant friend. That's certainly true in case of a fire ;) Too bad about the Christmas party. My Christmas will be different as well as my father passed away earlier this year. Thankfully we made good memories over the years.

[@herme99]

Literally about to start this job on my 964. A good refresher!

[@davidj4662]

You’re a trooper, Franny.

[@okgo8315]

You did a great job there in terrible conditions, but you got a lift which helps hugely. I thought you'd line up the holes with a screwdriver, nevertheless a great and precise job....thankyou. 👍🇬🇧

[@BobJones-ib4xh]

Beautiful neighborhood....

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks!

[@eirikbirkedal2949]

It is so interesting to follow your videos. You are having so control. Hello from Norway

[@ThePhilandPam]

Amazing how that fire jumped and so close to the houses, very close day 👍

[@HeidiandFranny]

Yes, it was crazy.

[@schmidt28117]

Great job on the install and firefighting! You are a great team. Using the lift to raise the car reminded me of a friend that is a physics major that is great on theoretical concepts but not so great on practical applications. We would be working on a car or taking a tree down or some other home project. Just at the critical time he would stop, look at me, raise an eyebrow, and say..."time for big science". 8) Love your videos.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks! Love the Big Science!

[@colinblankenship2401]

Heidi you are great on the camera.

[@HeidiandFranny]

She does a great job!

[@audreyknipe1864]

So scary that the fire got that close to the houses!

[@HeidiandFranny]

Yes. It was a day to remember here.

[@pepperpepperpepper]

I don't know what was scarrier - the car swinging on a chain over Franny, or the fire...

[@masbeetleboy9169]

Glad to see everyone is ok.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks!

[@Desertfox92308]

Great work to all three of you! Gives Thanksgiving an even greater meaning!😀👍🦃

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks Norm.

[@michaelwilliams8781]

I used to drop the engine out of my old 911T on a trolley jack. It had carbs and with the air box removed it’d just about clear the rear valence. I’d jack the car up as high as I could and put a couple of axle stands under the rear of the floor pan. I had to remove the engine 3 or 4 times to sort out transmission problems. In the end I could pull the engine and install it on my own taking about an hour each way.

[@HeidiandFranny]

That's 356 time territory!

[@pb3033]

WOW ! Novelties at its most !

[@michellehill2]

try using a crows foot alignment tool on all four mounting points before starting the hardware in.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Our problem was really more the angle than the alignment. It is a little tricky (more so in 50mph winds) to get the engine at the correct angle. That left transmission mount was a bit of a bear. I think we just had the engine too low. Thanks for the tip.

[@mopartony7953]

My heart stopped seeing Franny under the car when being lowered on engine. Always a fundamental in my training to never be under a vertically supported (hanging) load. Only permitted to be under a directly ground supported load (jacks, lift, etc). Learned this at Boeing informally the ugly way and later in Organized training. Love the channel! Work safe!

[@HeidiandFranny]

I get what you are saying, but it was WAY more sketchy when up all that way on jack stands. One wobble and it would slide off. Not possible with the chain and they are rated at several multiples of the car weight. Also, the wheels were only maybe an inch or two off the ground during most of the transmission attachment so it wouldn't have fallen much at all. I'm scared to death to be under a car up on jack stands. That is why we bought the first lift actually. The proper tool would have been a two-post lift. Thanks again for your concern. :)

[@mopartony7953]

@@HeidiandFranny I hear yah! Someone you got to count your blessings and take the risk I was yanking a trans out of a Chrysler imperial once and the jack slipped - yeah I saw my life flash before me. Anyway, it just got hammered into me to never be under a overhead supported load. Love the channel!!

[@FixinBugsNStuff]

Great video and I am glad everyone is ok.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thank you! All well that ends well I suppose :)

[@thomass3769]

Glad you are all ok

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks :)

[@scottiencali]

Shammoo...haha thats an awesome plate!! Great work!! Those exhaust clamps have ruined many a paint job!!

[@justinp85]

Now that the engine and transmission bolts are torqued, you should loosen the 4 bolts on the engine cross bar (near the fan) and retorque them. It was a tech bulletin and it helps to straight everything out/parallelization and vibration.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Are you sure that is for the Cabriolets? That cross bar is mounted to a rubber hub (like a vibration damper) with three bolts. Not sure loosening and re-torqueing would really do anything as the arm can rotate about 10deg CW and CCW. F

[@justinp85]

​@@HeidiandFranny Double checked, applies to G50 Coupes and Targas :-)

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks for the update! Makes sense for coupes and Targas. There must be significant body twist in the Cabs.

[@djverhulst]

Well done ! ,, what a day

[@HeidiandFranny]

What a day...

[@lowreedman]

Glad you folks are OK. Scary stuff.

[@HeidiandFranny]

It really was a bit tough and go at points... Weird experience...

[@ADDvanced]

I wish I had a lift. :P. Getting close!

[@HeidiandFranny]

Getting there!

[@perunut4656]

Wow that was too close for comfort! Will they get some sort of fire break sorted as grass right up to the boundary is a big risk? At least you were ready to evacuate quickly. Great video...I'm thinking perhaps a 2cv car has definite advantages when it comes to engine removal/replacement :) I was worried those chains would damage the body work.

[@msanktmsankt5934]

Great video, but I think the big washers on the engine & gearbox mounts has to be installed the other way around. Cheers Michael

[@HeidiandFranny]

I'll double check. I think they should be cupped towards the mount. It was a nutty day ;)

[@ISquishWorms]

Thanks for the laughs, was so funny watching you battle the wind. lol Never seen anything like it. Wow sorry didn't appreciate how bad and dangerous it got as had not got to the part with the fire. Not so funny after all.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Its windy tonight. We get crazy winds here. The fire was unusual. Hope it stays that way.

[@billcunningham8485]

Scary stuff! Glad everything turned out okay for you two and your neighbors. Franny - with all of the Porsche work - getting yourself up and down off the garage floor etc. it’s like doing a few dozen sets of squats. Only to help out with the fire. So my question are: did you sleep in the following day? And second did you feel like you had a killer workout the day before? I’m tired just watching... Nice work! Another great video.

[@paulandrewmartin]

Nice content! more power

[@danknox9986]

Very scary. To close for comfort. BTW great job on the car.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks so much! That was my first experience with fire and all I know is huge props to the folks that actually fight these things!

[@wernerdanler2742]

Slick job putting that engine in. I like the way it is mounted to the body. Pretty simple. Glad they got control of that fire. How did it start?

[@HeidiandFranny]

Great question! We believe it started from a large mulch pile at a commercial landscaping company just to the west of us. I sure hope they are more careful!

[@v1rotait23]

@@HeidiandFranny ... Fire = fuel (long dry grass) + oxydizer (that awful wind with swirling gravel to get in Franny's mouth and eyes) + ignition source (spark or heat source sufficient for combustion from something!) Glad they found a tangible reason. I've experienced (from a distance) bush fires when living in Victoria Australia. REALLY SCARY when thick smoke turns day into night! Awesome reinstall of Porsche power plant by the way. I love you're clever thinking and processes Franny! and a Merry Christmas you 2 clever ladies, from New Zealand, David.

[@paulandrewmartin]

Hope you are al;l safe!

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks! We are good. It was a scary day though!

[@iannicolle3154]

Hi Franny and Heidi. Greetings from Melbourne, Australia. Really enjoying this series. I recently broke my ankle (paragliding accident) and this has kept me amused while recovering. I’m wondering why you are reinstalling the engine/transmission when you plan to respray the car? Why not send it off for the paint job first?

[@HeidiandFranny]

I Ian, I hope your ankle is on the mend. We decided not to paint. Jut not worth the cost or effort as the paint isn't really that bad.

[@secoff1]

wow!!!

[@Mr18125]

Heidi & Franny - loving your pivot to the seas and all that content. Have a question for you - I'm about to re-install my 3.2 that's been out for 18 months and I also have a lift and am intriqued by using the factory jack point plates and what looks like chain to accomplish this. Do you happen to have any more details about how you rigged this up? My garage has a very annoying lip and my removal process was hanging the car off the end of the lift but the concrete lip + ATV jack & floor jack make this super precarious and I'm debating rolling the car off - raising the lift which would keep me in the garage and on a floor where things will roll much smoother. Thanks so much & Happy Holidays.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Hi there, I think this system worked pretty well! It was just strong chain and shackles that went over the lift tread. I had to lower the top down to get the lift low enough to start with. As for the lip you might need to build some sort of ramp if you need to get the engine lift past it. We had a gap and that was a pain. Just test things a few times and do a dress rehearsal. It is a lot of weight so have a few friends there to help and be careful. Good luck!

[@Mr18125]

@@HeidiandFranny Thank you. Did you use the standard jack adapter plates or fab something out of square tube? I'm debating using something I can run a bolt through to ensure no chance of it sliding out on the inboard side and then drilling and using a shackle on the connection side to remove the chance of any catostrophic failure! :)

[@HeidiandFranny]

@@Mr18125 ​Probably a good call. I just used the standard ones. Oh! I ran a strap underneath to pull the two together so they didn't slide out of the receivers. I just remembered that. I had the same thoughts!

[@Mr18125]

@@HeidiandFranny AH! Ok saw this strap but couldnt' figure out what it was for - initially thought you may have had it slung off tie downs but then quickly assured myself not a chance you'd do something like this. Ty for all the details on such an old video! Love the steering upgrade w/ the Heim joint on the latest video and excited to see more of the new content!

[@rschmidt587]

Very strange! Why wouldn't you put the car up on the lift and then (with the proper engine jack) just install the engine and trans from underneath?

[@coripuckett5596]

Franny, I’m not gonna lie I was extremely worried about you working under that car relying only on that chain, Please next time put jackstands or support it from underneath before ya ever go under a car again... I was legitimately concerned and worried... be safe

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks Cori. Good advice! It wasn't too scary as the car was pretty much on the ground when I was under it. The rear end sits very high without the engine mounted.

[@jimcolangelo7003]

Wonderful video!! I'm curious about your lifts, not just the brand / size, but also choosing the "ramp" style vs. a 2-post with arms? I'm shopping for a lift for my home garage and I can't decide which way to go. Do you find these easy to use for "wheels off" type of servicing?

[@HeidiandFranny]

Hi Jim, Great question - and a tough one! I get by pretty well with just the four post lifts. For us we needed storage more than the occasional wheels-off-the-ground. That said, the 3.2 carrera engine bit would have been way easier with a two post. Same would be true for wheel/suspension work. But... you can jack the car up on a four post lift (on the rails or using the heavy cross-rail jack trays) and then raise and lower to the best working height. Also, you can place jack stands on the floor and lower the car on to them (four at a time even) which makes jacking the car up really easy. I suppose it comes down to what you need the lift for. Also, MaxJack makes a "portable" two post lift you can actually remove from the floor and stow away until needed thus have virtually no altercation to your garage. It is really nice you have all these home options though! F

[@jimcolangelo7003]

@@HeidiandFranny Thank you for such a thoughtful reply! This is great information. Love your channel so much. Have a great day!

[@abernathymonsoon4638]

YIKES! So glad everyone is safe! Any idea how it started? (or was that mentioned and I missed it?) omg...so close to hearing Shamoo start...vroom vroom

[@HeidiandFranny]

It started on a business property that is located about 1/2 mile away. They are a rock and gravel company and were closed on Sunday, the day it started. It is hard to say, but the fire dept is all.over them about it. But, that is just by word of mouth. I can't say for certain. Hearsy

[@abernathymonsoon4638]

@@HeidiandFranny Thank you for the update. Living in So Cal (San Diego) I've experienced my fair share of fires and had to evacuate for one - they scare the hell out of me - they start small and can erupt very quick. I'm glad you are all safe as well as your neighborhood =)

[@HeidiandFranny]

Yes, your correct. It happened very fast and it was scarey.

[@wbick8154]

Gale winds, Fires, Porsches Unchained! It's Homeric!

[@HeidiandFranny]

So, adventure?

[@v1rotait23]

Well, that was a quiet boring episode... As it Heidi and Franny are ever boring to watch with just car stuff... but why not throw in huge winds, smoke, a grass fire, fire trucks and hoses just for some flavor and variety! You won't forget that day anytime soon. Glad your neighborhood and you guys are safe. :)

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks so much! What a nutty day...

[@conceptalfa]

👍 👍 👍!!!

[@jonharnew]

Hi you mentioned a cat channel in the video can you tell me where it is

[@HeidiandFranny]

Hi John. This is the link to our other channel. kzbin.info

[@jonharnew]

@@HeidiandFranny Thanks the channels great.

[@pepperpepperpepper]

@@HeidiandFranny What? Kitties? I'll be right over! Too much drama on this channel :)

[@markpendleton5817]

Climate change

[@HeidiandFranny]

I think so. Heidi

[@Puksta123]

why CRis Fx? He is so annoying. The absolute antithesis of your channel...