Supporting a bearing wall while inserting a header -- ceiling framing?

Hi Folks,

I'm trying to install pocket doors in a bearing wall and was hoping that one of you might have a suggestion for how to support the wall while I'm installing the header.

My house is on the top floor of a rowhouse built about 1900. It's only about 19'3" east-to-west across and the exterior walls are masonry. There is a bearing beam that runs north-south down approximately the middle of the house, dividing the rowhouse in half, 10'8" on one side, 8'6.5" on the other. The joists are above the beam and run East-West. There is also ceiling framing that webs under the beam North-South.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I should support the load bearing beam while I insert a 3-LVL header for pocket doors? I've seen all kinds of clips of people building support structures out of 2x4s that run parallel to the bearing beam and support the ceiling. In this situation, though, those would only serve to support the ceiling framing.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

There is a similar thread running now

http://www.doityourself.com/forum/fr...ring-wall.html