So it was finally a chance to do an oil change on the wifemobile (1988 244GL). Good cooler weather, she and the car are at home for the evening, and the change is way overdue.

Put the car on the ramps, started the draining, went in for supper and evening news. Went back to finish the job around 2130hrs. Only another hours or so, right?

Uh Oh, oil filter is sitting on the right motor mount. Hard.

The new mounts have been in BGVPD awaiting installation for a year or so. And I have the Dick Reiss 2x6 plank special engine-lifting tool.

The tool works. 2-inch lift was enough.

Observations:

(1) Don't attempt the job without dropping the splash pan. The contortions needed getting around it are far more time-consuming that the time to remove and re-install the pan. Mine is a good-fitting heavy plastic pan from fpcgroton.

(2) The sockets needed are 17mm and 12mm. Also needed 12-pt box end wrenches of the same sizes.

(3) Bracket on the block. Lower front bolt is a royal PITA. Easy to bremove with the socket wrench because the old mount was split into two pieces. New mount blocks access to using the socket wrench, so the 12-pt 12mm wrench is needed.

(4) Upper mount-to-bracket bolt/stud must be loosened or removed before taking the bracket off the block. Minor PITA if you do this in reverse. DAMHIK

(5) Used 5 or 6 pairs of vinyl gloves. Greazy dirty job. Gloves are great but of no use for the grease between wrist and upper arm area. Next time I'll put my arms inside one of those plastic tubes that my newspapers come in.

Finished up at 0345 hours. Oil change was a breeze after the mount. Only did the passenger side. Later for the driver's side and tranny mount.

At that hour, using a torque wrench was only a passing thought.

Good Luck with yours, guys and gals.

Regards,

Bob

:>)

PS: BGVPD is Bob's Garage Volvo Parts Department.