How safe is it lifting up an engine with one of those engine lift plates that hook up to manifold...i even saw on tv them lifting one with trany hooked up to it???

Ron

never seen one..

I always pull with manifold off and use two short pieces of chain to criss cross the heads with a bolt in each end..

i dont think i would want to pull on my aluminum intake manifold

Thats what i was thinking, but on "overhauling" this past week they had it bolted to manifold where the carb goes, lifted engine and transmission together...There not expensive and could be bought at jegs and other places..
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I have to agree with Ben, never on my aluminum intake!
The plate mat be cheap, chain is too.

I used one on my 428 without any problems, cast iron manifold though.

Matt

I would not trust 4 5/16" bolts threaded in to an aluminum intake manifold to lift my big block even without the tranny.

ive had to tap these holes to 3/8" too many times becuase someone stripped them to trust anything like that.

just my humble opinion.

spend the ten extra minutes pulling the intake and lift from the heads.

besides when you pull the intake you have to disconnect most of the engine connection anyway.

make sure to disconnect the oil and temp sending units, the engine ground on the starter side and the z-bar if its a stick.

I'm still trying to imagine 4 5/16 bolts with not much more than 1/2 inch engaged lifting an engine and trans. Scary thought

I used one to pull my engine. No problem at all. NASCAR engine builders have been using them for years and they use them on alum intakes as well. I Pull the trans seperately. We use them hear in our facilty when taking engines on and off the dynos.

If you think about it the weight is being divided among all the fasteners. I also used grade 5 bolts, not the cheapy studs.

,you're probably gonna pull the intake any way,do it first then bolt the chains to the heads.I would not trust manifold bolts,I've seen it done both ways,you might get the motor up too the top of the fender,and start swinging it over,oops there goes those manifold bolts,chain that bad boy down,safety first,what ever goes up will come down

I know it seem like a streach. But the plates do work fine. Again, only with a cast iron manifold. DON'T do it with aluminum. But cast iron is fine. And as strange as it seems, the four bolt, if in good condition will hold better than you would every believe.
Just be sure the bolts are in good condition.

However, why not just use long bolts into the heads, and lift it there? You can leave the intake in place with the long bolts. You can also put bolts in the holes for the exhaust manifolds. All of these work well.

The advantage of the plate is the balance. Very easy to move the engine and line it up when installing. In many full size vans it is almost necessary to use the plate to have clearance to get the engine out. You can get it out of the van without the plate, but it's much easier.

Yes I have used them many times.