Engine lift bracket --> homemade [pics]
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 523
Likes: 112
From: Atlanta area
MYBAD... For what it is worth at this point, I had the same concern about those manifold lifting plates when I was pulling the 454 out of my '73, so I did some calculations of thread strength in aluminum. It turns out that, even in the worst grade of cast aluminum, if you can get the 5/16 bolts to screw in at least 1/2 inch into the manifold, each bolt will support a minimum of 500 lbs.
This is true ONLY IF the plate you use is stiff enough to prevent it from bending when you lift the engine, and the bolts are torque to 15 ft. lbs. If you can get 3/4" of thread engagement into the manifold, the load handling goes up to 750 lbs. That's enough that one bolt would support a typical small block + transmission.
After I saw the numbers, I used a lifting plate like everyone else, but I made my own out of 1" thick aluminum.
Good luck with your lift
This is true ONLY IF the plate you use is stiff enough to prevent it from bending when you lift the engine, and the bolts are torque to 15 ft. lbs. If you can get 3/4" of thread engagement into the manifold, the load handling goes up to 750 lbs. That's enough that one bolt would support a typical small block + transmission.
After I saw the numbers, I used a lifting plate like everyone else, but I made my own out of 1" thick aluminum.
Good luck with your lift
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 1
From: Mounds View Minnesota
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 10
From: cincinnati ohio
St. Jude Donor '09
MYBAD... For what it is worth at this point, I had the same concern about those manifold lifting plates when I was pulling the 454 out of my '73, so I did some calculations of thread strength in aluminum. It turns out that, even in the worst grade of cast aluminum, if you can get the 5/16 bolts to screw in at least 1/2 inch into the manifold, each bolt will support a minimum of 500 lbs.
This is true ONLY IF the plate you use is stiff enough to prevent it from bending when you lift the engine, and the bolts are torque to 15 ft. lbs. If you can get 3/4" of thread engagement into the manifold, the load handling goes up to 750 lbs. That's enough that one bolt would support a typical small block + transmission.
This is true ONLY IF the plate you use is stiff enough to prevent it from bending when you lift the engine, and the bolts are torque to 15 ft. lbs. If you can get 3/4" of thread engagement into the manifold, the load handling goes up to 750 lbs. That's enough that one bolt would support a typical small block + transmission.
Some of you people need to unclinch your sphincter 
I used the lift plates dozens of times and witnessed them being used many more, a lot of those users were pros by the way.
Anyone ever see one fail that was used properly?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Why is everything so DIFFICULT??
I've used a 5/16 chain and 3/8 bolts from the left front to right rear (or the other way around) for like 35 years. Never had one of those fancy "load leveler" things, just dropped a bolt thru the chain on either side of the cherry picker hook, if I needed a different angle I take one bolt out and move it with a screwdriver. And I've done this on everything from Vettes to dump trucks back when Chevy made them.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,870
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
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