EngineLift Plate

[kc10a]

After many years of moving around a lot with the military, I finally have a shop and am starting to play/work on my toys. II need to pull a couple of engines and tyranny. I've never used one if the engine lift plates that bolts to the manifold. Can you pull the engine and trans together, even a iron head big block? Once it is up, how do you tilt the front of the engine up to get the trans to clear? Appreciate any advice.

 

[gungatim]

usually they are installed as engine/trans together, and can be removed the same way. tilting can be accomplished with an engine tilting attachment, long piece of channel with a threaded rod that moves the attachment hook back and forth. I usually just move the hook on the chain to get the angle and use a friend/pry bar, but the adjustable lifts are nice and not too expensive.

never used the engine lift plate, usually just a chain with a bolt through the ends into the head or intake...

 

[owenst7]

http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/category/pivot-engine-lift-plate

I'll never do another engine swap without it.

I'd say it depends on the engine/trans. I never worry about an SBC w/ a metal intake. For plastic intakes, I have a spreader bar and plates that attach to the sides of the heads (also from Mac's). I've moved SBCs with ****** and tcase attached this way. For a diesel or big block, I probably would have taken the tcase off just to make the load more manageable. I wouldn't worry too much about leaving the tans on there if you are comfortable with the stability of your cherry picker.

I like to take everything out in sections because the load is more manageable, but I work on rock crawlers where there's typically plenty of room to get the bell housing out from below. I could see it being easier to pull the rad core on a car and put the whole assembly in together.

 

[rburke65]

Yes together and use a tilting attachment on your engine lift. Lots of manufactures out there ....Summit, Jegs, etc.

 

[Showkey]

Many choices on tilt devices in every budget:

http://www.fleetfarm.com/search/?q=...any=12&sortOrder=&startIndex=37&currentPage=4

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I've seen lift plates pull threads on aluminum intake manifolds. No thanks. I'll stick with short Grade 8 bolts with good washer in opposite ends of each head and a engine lift tilter.

Tommy

 

[BillK]

I know that there are probably thousands of them being used, but I just do not trust them. I am pretty sure that the normal 5/16" bolts or studs will probably hold but it worries me as to how much stress it is putting on the intake and if it will affect the intake gasket seals etc.

Bottom line, its just not worth it to me. Give me a chain or two bolted to the ends of the heads.

Also, I have never like pulling engines and transmissions out together. Tried it one time 40 years ago and almost put the tail shaft of a Muncie 4 Speed through the windshield of my Chevelle. That was the last time. It is just too easy to pull the trans first, even without a lift.

Just my 2 cents worth

 

[Kaizen]

I got the tilty thing and it has 4 chains to attach to four corners of the block. normally extra holes. taking out my truck eng and trans together I had to have it completely tilted and lift was at max. having an engine block at your head height is unnerving. no way I would have tried it with just bolts in the manifold.