Best way to lift complete engine?
Posted by kt_optimize93@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 17 comments
Hello everyone! I'm currently working on my first engine removal and will be lifting the small block chevy 350 from it's old home onto my engine stand soon. Everything is off the donor. (Hood, fenders, core support) I'd like to remove it with the accessories and everything attached if possible. Could I lift from the manifolds or will that cause the manifolds to break? Or am I just better off taking everything off the engine while it sits in it's old frame?
716econoline@reddit
Those harbor freight engine leveler make it real easy. Especially when your trying to line back up
Turbulent_Wasabi5722@reddit
The one I got was junk. The handle was a piece of junk plastic with only 3/4 inch of a tiny screw to hold it on and it broke immediately
Neon570@reddit
10/10 would recommend.
Carrera_996@reddit
Did not know they had one. Thanks and be right back.
30NIC@reddit
With an engine hoist
grease_monkey@reddit
Buy a used harbor freight one on marketplace or Craigslist, sell for same price when you're done. You'll probably be the 7th owner.
Snakedoctor404@reddit
I used the exhaust manifolds yesterday for a tbi 4.3 with the transmission. But I don't intend to reuse this combo. A v8 by itself would balance much better with the carb plate. The 4.3 was way nose heavy once I split it from the trans.
jedigreg1984@reddit
No reason not to take everything off now. The less weight the better
That being said, I just lifted a fully dressed 460 from the carburetor mounting area of an aluminum intake. Don't use the studs, use dedicated Grade 8 bolts that have maximum thread engagement. Use a quality lift plate. Don't overtorque the bolts. Use washers with them. Go slow and you'll be way, way more than fine
h3re4fball@reddit
I just did a fully dressed 302 the same exact way. Get a HIGH QUALITY carb lift plate and you're good for life
Neon570@reddit
Last engine I pulled I used the 4 studs that hold the carb in place.
Wrap a chain around anything solid and yank it out. Don't over think things
ConsistentType4371@reddit
Pull accessories, hell, I even pull the heads if they’re coming off anyway. Then slap a lift plate on it, hook up a leveler, and crane that bitch out.
I pulled my 4.6l 3v like this, out of my 06 Mustang, without even taking the hood off.
Smokey7766440@reddit
Definitely use your knees…. I doubt it’s gonna help but make sure you have a good grip
pistonsoffury@reddit
Old seat belt tied to opposite corners of each exhaust manifold (seriously). You can leave everything as is and disassemble on the stand.
Not_That_Fast@reddit
This is what everyone and myself does. Never had an issue.
johnny-cheese@reddit
I’ve done quite a few engine removals and I always remove the accessories. I even remove the carb and the distributor cap if it’s at the back of the engine. I attach a chain at lifting points either on the ends of the cylinder heads or at the corners of intake manifold. I don’t recommend using the exhaust manifolds to lift just because of the cast iron being so brittle they can easily break apart. Some people use the intake manifold at the carburetor location using a plate but I don’t like lifting that much weight of the intake especially if it’s made of aluminum. Either way, Good luck.
s1owpokerodriguez@reddit
With you back not your legs
Good_With_Tools@reddit
Pull the carb and use a carb plate or look for holes on the front and back surfaces of the heads.