Maximum Motorsports S197 K-Member

CM nailed it. I just happened to be doing both at the same time. With the MM K-member everything becomes very easy - once it is installed.

Can you still use the factory flip down splash shield by the oil filter and lower shield behind the grille with the MM K-member?

You can, they make a kit that will use it, but they also offer a solution that ties the radiator support with the K-member and you won't be able to use it with that version. Frankly, I don't miss it. Oil filter changes are unobstructed and oil won't get on any components like with the OEM K.

Catmonkey said:

You can't remove or install headers with the strap under the engine. I'f your going to install header with the K-member dropped, you're going to need to support the engine from the bottom with a jack of some sort. I used a block of wood to distribute the load along the base of the oil pan.

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Ok, so the MM engine support bracket and ratchet straps are holding the engine with the straps around the engine, not around the headers/manifolds on each side?

In the first post pictures toward the bottom it looks like two straps/ratchets, one on each side, and in the next picture I don't see any straps wrapped around the engine or oil pan, that is why I was asking if the manifolds/headers are the place where the straps are attached (wrapped around) for supporting the engine?

I was guessing that once the K-member is removed while the straps are still holding the engine by the manifolds/headers, then the engine is supported with the jack under the oil pan and then the straps are removed for the header install?


R

Even if the ratchet strap was on the engine mount bracket, you wouldn't have enough clearance to remove or install the header, the strap would still be in the way and right up against the header/manifold. Putting a bottle jack under the engine isn't as dangerous as you might think. As long as you aren't horsing the engine around while you bolt up the headers, you should be fine. There could be a way to rig it to where it doesn't impact the headers, but I didn't spend any time trying to figure it out.

I had removed the driver side header to be able to remove the timing cover which called for removing the oil filter/cooler adapter. I ended up swapping out the K-member after I had reinstalled the header and adapter. I ended up using the strap and the bottle jack.

Catmonkey said:

Even if the ratchet strap was on the engine mount bracket, you wouldn't have enough clearance to remove or install the header, the strap would still be in the way and right up against the header/manifold. Putting a bottle jack under the engine isn't as dangerous as you might think. As long as you aren't horsing the engine around while you bolt up the headers, you should be fine. There could be a way to rig it to where it doesn't impact the headers, but I didn't spend any time trying to figure it out.

I had removed the driver side header to be able to remove the timing cover which called for removing the oil filter/cooler adapter. I ended up swapping out the K-member after I had reinstalled the header and adapter. I ended up using the strap and the bottle jack.

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I was just trying to figure out if Tob used the manifolds/headers to hang the engine from with that MM brace or if there were other attachment points for using the MM brace and ratchet straps.

In his first post pictures, I see the MM brace and two ratchet straps and in his picture below that I don't see the straps around the engine, so I was wanting to verify exactly where he attached the ratchet straps to support the engine while removing the K-member?

Unlike the older muscle car era where it was somewhat common to find engine installation hooks attached to the exhaust manifold bolts, that were used on the assy. line, I am guessing they bring the engine and K-member up from the bottom in todays world, so there would not be any "engine hooks/lifting eyes" for Tob to attach to with the ratchet straps.


R

If you take off the intake manifold there are engine lift brackets that can be attached to the heads. But I'm not sure you'd have enough space for the ratcheting mechanism to go through it's action without hitting the valve covers.

Robert M said:

I was just trying to figure out if Tob used the manifolds/headers to hang the engine from with that MM brace or if there were other attachment points for using the MM brace and ratchet straps.

In his first post pictures, I see the MM brace and two ratchet straps and in his picture below that I don't see the straps around the engine, so I was wanting to verify exactly where he attached the ratchet straps to support the engine while removing the K-member?

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I edited the pic that shows where it's attached. He's using the motor mount bracket to attach his ratchet strap.



Ford does have some special tool/apparatus to hold the top of the engine, but I would expect it to be very expensive. It's in the service manual if you have one. I don't think you're going to find a simple solution to suspending the engine from up top. You might be able use a something like this to where you might get a strap in front of the header and around the transmission, but I think it will be too low on that support to do you any good.

Robert, you can support the engine by whatever means works best for you. I used straps because they fit the contours of the engine well without causing any damage. It really doesn't matter how you do it as long as it is secure.

Tob said:

Robert, you can support the engine by whatever means works best for you. I used straps because they fit the contours of the engine well without causing any damage. It really doesn't matter how you do it as long as it is secure.

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The straps appear to be the best choice with the MM bar, I just wanted to verify where the straps were attached on the engine, and Cat has zoomed in on the engine mount bracket in the picture above.

That bar and straps have to support a lot of weight, so I wanted to verify where you attached and keep that in mind if I go through an install of this type. I have kind of tossed around installing a PC Black Shelby/Canton trapped door oil pan that I bought from Shelby a few years ago, I am guessing it will require this same kind of disassembly to install.

This pan, except in PC Black.......

Shelby GT500 Aluminum 7 Quart Race Baffled Oil Pan

^^^The installation instructions are included in the link, and it does say "Dropping the K-member".




R

Is it still the case that the bump steer kit is to be installed differently with the MM K member than the stock?

Yes, it must be since the k-member raises the FCA pivots upwards.

Thanks!