Pulling an Engine

[Terry D.]

Getting ready to pull a small block chevy with vortec heads. Not a fan of the carb plate to pull motors, always used the intake bolts, or exhaust bolts, but on this vortec head engine the intake bolts aren't any bigger then the carb bolts. Has anyone done this using the intake bolts? Any and all suggestions appreciated.
Thanks
Terry

[Jim S.]

Re: Pulling an Engine

Terry,

Like you I never liked the idea of using the carb plate, especially on an aluminum intake . My neighbor however , a long time car guy , told me he has done dozens of motors this way with no ill effect. So that's how I pulled and replaced mine . Also apparently with no ill effect, for what it's worth .

TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST:
A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of all the crap you forgot to disconnect.

Jim

[Chris S.]

Re: Pulling an Engine

I have installed and removed dozens of engines with a carb plate
I use grade 8 hardware and oversize washers to spread the load.
a SBC weighes around 550 pounds give or take

[Terry D.]

Re: Pulling an Engine

Another reason I don't like the carb plate is when pulling the motor with tranny still attached (as is the case here) how do you keep the whole thing level? I have always used a load leveler.

[Jim D.]

Re: Pulling an Engine

No way would I trust a SB or especially a BB being suspended by 4 - 1/4" studs in aluminum. Like Terry just pointed out, you can't use a leveler either.

[Pat H.]

Re: Pulling an Engine

When removing the engine from my 59, I used grade 5 bolts and attached the chains to each corner of the engine. The exhaust manifolds were removed. I did the reverse when it was installed

[Robert D.]

Re: Pulling an Engine

The amazing thing is a grade 8 1/4 inch bolt has a tensile strength of over 4 thousand pounds so theoretically one bolt can support the engine now im not advocating that but it amazes me how strong theses things actually are. I suppose the limiting factor is the aluminum manifold does anyone have tensile stregnths or how much force it takes to pull out a 1/4 inch bolt in the type of aluminum our manifolds are made of? just food for thought i dont particularly like lifting motors from the carb studs either but my best friend owns a garage and hes done hundreds like that with no problem.

[David G.]

Re: Pulling an Engine

No way would I trust a SB or especially a BB being suspended by 4 - 1/4" studs in aluminum. Like Terry just pointed out, you can't use a leveler either.

I have removed and installed dozens of engines using the intake carburetor studs and never had and issue. You can use a leveler bolted directly to the plate to tilt the engine during installation. Very slick and easy.

[Joe L.]

Re: Pulling an Engine

The amazing thing is a grade 8 1/4 inch bolt has a tensile strength of over 4 thousand pounds so theoretically one bolt can support the engine now im not advocating that but it amazes me how strong theses things actually are. I suppose the limiting factor is the aluminum manifold does anyone have tensile stregnths or how much force it takes to pull out a 1/4 inch bolt in the type of aluminum our manifolds are made of? just food for thought i dont particularly like lifting motors from the carb studs either but my best friend owns a garage and hes done hundreds like that with no problem.

Robert------


Carb studs are 5/16-18 thread size.

[Joe L.]

Re: Pulling an Engine

Getting ready to pull a small block chevy with vortec heads. Not a fan of the carb plate to pull motors, always used the intake bolts, or exhaust bolts, but on this vortec head engine the intake bolts aren't any bigger then the carb bolts. Has anyone done this using the intake bolts? Any and all suggestions appreciated.
Thanks
Terry

Terry-------


1) Use 5/16-18 grade 5 or 8 studs that FULLY THREAD into the manifold;

2) Install carb plate;

3) Install 2 hardened flat washers on each stud;

4) Install grade 5 or grade 8 hex nuts and torque to 20 lb/ft

The above will easily support ANY engine you're going to install in a Corvette whether the intake manifold is cast iron OR aluminum.

[Robert D.]

Re: Pulling an Engine

oops thanx for the correction that only makes them stronger
thanx
bob

[Terry D.]

Re: Pulling an Engine

Thanks everyone but we found the vortec heads have screw holes on the end that take a much larger bolt, the owner felt much better, plus I still don't see how you can attach a leveler to a carb plate? At least not the leveler I have! How about a picture or description of the Dave?

[David G.]

Re: Pulling an Engine

[QUOTE=Terry Deusterman (11486);768977]Thanks everyone but we found the vortec heads have screw holes on the end that take a much larger bolt, the owner felt much better, plus I still don't see how you can attach a leveler to a carb plate? At least not the leveler I have! How about a picture or description of the Dave? Terry, I have my engine leveler lent out now, But the leveler in an inexpensive harbor freight tool. I cut 2 pieces of 1/4 inch steel about 3x5 inches. I drilled 2 holes in the plates and welded one to the lower part of the leveler and sandwich the carb lift plate between the welded plate and the other plate. 1/2 bolts are used to bolt through the first plate, then the carb lift fixture, then the other loose plate. It really is easier than this description. If I had it here, I would provide photo. BTW I also remove the hand crank and weld on a 1/2 inch nut for easier tilting.
Dave

[Terry D.]

Re: Pulling an Engine

Dave
When you get it back please e-mail pictures, am real curious to see this set up
Thanks
PS you have a private message

[Wally A.]

Re: Pulling an Engine

since when are intake carb bolts 1/4" all 5/16 ive ever seen, and the will hold