Engine Lift

[Dino L.]

Getting ready to install an engine in a bare chassis, and I have been considering buying a carb plate and bolting it to my aluminum manifold, I have seen many people do this, but I have been concerned about pulling the threads or the motor dropping from lifting it by the intake......any experience or comments? thanks Dino

[Donald H.]

Re: Engine Lift

I'm no expert, but I had the same concern with I installed the engine in dual quad 1960. I ended leaving the intake off and using bolts and chains in the intake bolt holes in the heads. I was installing with the body on the car. The other thing I have seen in some examples was nylon straps on the exhaust manifolds.

I like you was concerned with a lifting plate bolted to the aluminum manifold.

Don

[Mike M.]

Re: Engine Lift

i just lifted a 396 using a carb plate in the aluminum 396 intake manifold. the bbd's are heavier than the sbc's. i even hoisted a 394 olds with the carb plate on an aftermarket aluminum intake. and those oldsmobiles are heavier than a mark IV chevy. go for it. mike

[Michael G.]

Re: Engine Lift

Just one grade 5, 5/16 bolt can lift two Corvettes at once. If you make sure that the bolt is engaged in the manifold at least two bolt diameters (5/8), the aluminum threads will be as strong as the bolt. You may not have that much engagement in these aluminum holes, but 1 1/2 diameters is plenty. Lifting 500 pounds should be no problem whatsoever for four bolts.

[Terry M.]

Re: Engine Lift

I put the 454 and TH400 together into the old "Orange Crush" 1978 Suburban using a carb plate to the iron intake. I did have minor coolant leaks (note plural) at the intake to head junction when I fired it, but re-torquing the intake manifold resolved them for the next 100K miles.

I wouldn't do it that way again, but I had access to a huge, and I do mean huge, engine hoist to lift all that over the core support.

[Gene M.]

Re: Engine Lift

I would be sure the the 5/16 threads in the aluminum intake are in good shape. And also be sure to have all slop taken up in the 5/16 hardware prior to lifting. I just can't bring my self to put all that load on a valuable intake manifold when chains attached else were is so easy. Plus, I like a level bar for engine balance.

[Lynn L.]

Re: Engine Lift

Use carb plate all the time, my machine shop promotes carb plate use.

[Dan D.]

Re: Engine Lift

Why not just use the exhaust manifold holes? They are 3/8 and will be operating in sheer. You can also pick which ever ones you want to get engine balance.

-Dan-

[Richard M.]

Re: Engine Lift

Yup...... I always just use the 4 exhaust manifold corners, with a pair of old valve covers to protect the valves.
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But..... I also agree that aluminum IS quite strong. This Jaguar V12 with Borg Warner cast iron automatic transmission is held up by just 4 integrated aluminum lift rings held to the heads with pairs of 3/8 Grade 3 bolts.

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