Lifting engines by carb plates

Didn't think was strictly an engine specific question, so I'm asking here

I don't really want to bolt a chain to one of my new aluminum heads so I can sling a chain between it and the lug at the rear of the block

I know guys lift heavier engines than mine with carb lifting plates all the time.

What should I be aware of here? I have an aluminum intake manifold. Will I have to heli-coil the threads first? What should I be looking out for. The engine is a buick 455 block, so it's pretty light, and I have light heads and intake, and I use headers, so the engine won't have heavy manifolds on the exhaust side either

 

I can't begin to tell you how many times I've used a carb plate to lift with, racing Fords on a dirt tracks you tend to pull motors alot :shock: but win too!....anyway, I use one and like them....engine stays nice and flat and is much easier to work with, I'm sure theres some stories out there against them but I've never had a problem with one, pulled a Ford 390 out 3 differnet times and you talk about a heavy engine!! Heres a pic with one on my 340 when I pulled it.

 

Just to be safe, I made hooks out of steel plate and attached them to the corners of the heads.........I don't think using a long bolt is a good idea.........it could snap off in the head and send your new motor on a fast trip to the floor. :bglasses:

 

Well, sounds like at the very least I need a backup plan

 

I think he meant use a long bolt so lots of thread were in the head.

I'm going to see if I can track down a leveller. Then I'm gonna spec out new SS bolts, and use a few washers off the head so that the chain can't hit the heads at all. I can also whip up some 30 mil plastic shims to use as cushions, so the washers won't gall the heads. Sounds like a plan.

To tell the truth, the intake lift method scares me. I've never been hurt doing anything like this on the car, no matter what the rush, even if I'm alone, because I take a good hard look at how dangerous it can be. I won't mess around with it at all if it's not safe. Too bad I didn't think harder about that engine block we were throwing out a little while ago :laugh:

 

I dont know if this helps but about a month or so ago I pulled out my 300 ci and st-300 with just two chains. The hardest part was getting it up the driveway!

 

I have lifted my 455 DOZENS of times with nothing but the carb plate.

I have studs in my intake (I recommend that for all aluminum intakes- install them once and leave them there), and I drop the plates on with some oversized washers (more like spacers) and nuts, and lift up! Never a problem for me.

Note: I have iron heads, not aluminum ones, but I don't think that will matter much.

-Bob Cunningham

 

This topic has been talked about here before. Carb plates and levelers are the way to go.

 

:laugh: I'm sure it has

I've always used a single chain, rated for lifting. One end on the passenger side head, one on the lifting lug on the driver's side rear of the block.

Got a leveller, should make this job easier :TU: