Not sure if drivetrain or engine question

[Eclipse45150]

So I have pulled the motor 3 times, and rebuilt it 3 times, the last two there was a knock coming from the tranny side, and upon taking it to a shop and listening myself it seems to be coming from the bellhousing. I pulled the motor a 4th time and replaced the clutch and throw out bearing, and reassembled. The noise is still there so Im 99% sure its inside the tranny. So heres where Im at. Im going to support the motor and drop the tranny out, I was wondering if soem one could give me some advice on whether a racing jack would be sufficent to hold the motor, or a recomendation on what to use. Second, while the tranny is out is it possible to start the motor to make sure the problem is not in the motor? If so would hooking it to my engine crane be sufficent to hold the torque or what would eb recommended.

Thank you for any advice!

[Locke]

A jack with a block of wood will hold the engine fine, assuming you left the passenger mount on.

Since the roll stoppers mount to the transmission, with the transmission out, you'd be left with one mount and a jack holding the motor. Don't start the engine like this, it'll fall.

Using a hoist or brace to hold the engine will help keep it up, but it won't prevent it from flopping around if it were running. I wouldn't do this, either.

What I would do, it use a stethoscope to pinpoint the source of the noise.

[Eclipse45150]

Thanks for the input man, I hadnt even thought about getting the motor steady before so Im going to pick up a tranny jack and just use my hoist to hold the motor. As for using a stethascope (sorry about the speling) I was to chicken to get that close, the mechanic I took it to said it was definetly not coming from the motor, but he said it was the clutch, changed the clutch and problem still there, oh and change tob also, so I guess Ill take my chances cause the tranny is almost out and axels are out, but like I said thank you for the input and I definetly will not start the motor without the tranny