Rolling the Engine Forward (GM Engine Moving Tool - Link/Description)

After having looked for a little while, I've found the type of tool that's a great one to use to roll the engine forward (transverse-mounted engine) to allow easier access to the rear spark plugs and such on the 3.1 engine (make sure to do this with the transmission in Neutral and the wheels blocked off).

GM Engine Moving Tool (Penn Auto Tools link):
http://www.pennautotools.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5494

This tool goes where the dog-bone sits in the torque strut at the front of the engine and you can move the engine forward and return it to its original position with a socket. Nice and easy!

Hope this helps those that didn't know that this tool existed!

I've seen this tool on the net also. Have you used it? Some beleive that it can damage the motor mounts.????

You could also just take out the dog bone and use a prop to tilt the motor , being carefull not to damage the rad and all with a heavy old blanket etc.

I haven't changed my back plugs yet but will be soon.

Let you know. I have a 93 p Transport 3.8 and they say they are hard????

After reading how bad it was, I just decided to take the thing to my mechanic at the time. It took him over an hour because of one plug. I believe he said (between obscenities for giving him the job to do) it was the middle rear one that is completely blocked. These vans were initially only offered with a 3.1, so I assume they did a minimum amount of redesigning to cram the 3.8 in. I got the best spark plugs I could, which was good since he said he wouldn't do it again!

I've seen this tool on the net also. Have you used it? Some beleive that it can damage the motor mounts.????

You could also just take out the dog bone and use a prop to tilt the motor , being carefull not to damage the rad and all with a heavy old blanket etc.

I haven't changed my back plugs yet but will be soon.

Let you know. I have a 93 p Transport 3.8 and they say they are hard????

Well....after 13 years, I finally got those rear spark plugs..... The original were not bad at all, except the gap was wider than specs...check this out:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=599442

Jayson, Did the tool work?

Wow, sorry I didn't respond earlier!

Yes, the tool works perfectly and hasn't damaged anything yet.

I just used it today to replace the rear and front plugs (Bosch; I didn't know any better LOL) and cables.

The only thing you need to watch out for is putting the dogbone back in. I tend to take out the two top screws, and loosed the two front screws on the forward mount that the dogbone connects to, then I can get the engine back the way it was.

Hope this helps!