I'm down the point where I'm taking off the front cover, and it occurred to me that the upper pan has to be off, which means the motor mounts will be off.

Just a basic question, then: How do I support the engine with the center and right motor mounts out?

Engine sling?

 

Cherry picker/hoist is best.

 

engine brace like so, sits on your fender sills and you hook it up with a chain or whatever to somewhere solid on the engine

 

^ Holy crap that's way better than a couple 2x4s and some chain.

 

they usin somethin like that on the cover of haynes

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb...bar-96524.html

$20 less than a full crane (with coupon)

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-c...ane-69512.html

 

we use them all the time at work, those braces are a godsend to angle the engine re-installing a transverse transmission

 

Right! I used 2x4's and rope when I didn't have my engine hoist. Tools make life easier.

 

The upper Oil opan doesn't need to be removed! The lower needs to be removed too access 4 bolts that run through the upper oil pan!

 

Of course what everyone posted is best, but if you don't know how to support the engine, I'm not sure you should be trying to fiddle with the timing chain.

If you don't have the money for the the sling, a jack stand under the actual compressor does wonders. That's actually how the FSM recommends doing it, other than the ac compressor part. I just find that spot safe and easy.

 

+1. NO need to remove upper oil pan which means the crossmember will provide adequate support.