Have have an 2003 excursion... I pulled my engine to do the timing cover... I've done this same job one other time and I have issues with the chains on the engine hoist tearing up the cow above the engine... I tried several different orientations of the chains hooking them to the factory lift hooks attached to the heads... If I put the chains too tight they bend the hooks inwards and it makes me pretty nervous.. Is there a better place to mount the hoist chains to let me get the engine back in there more easily?

 

Have you tried a spreader bar/leveler ?

http://www.amazon.com/Load-Leveler-Engine-Hoist-Crane/dp/B001P5UWUW

 

I have tried but the one I have is too tall... The clearance newer the engine and cow is only like 6 to 8 inches and the leveler directly attached with no links of chain touches the cow

 

Just did the one in my 350 and all I did was put the chains in tight, let them bend a bit, (I was told they would) then re-tightened the chains and picked it out. Shortened the chain on the cherry picker quite a bit as well. Once I got it out I added a swivel and boy does that help. Personally I had a hell of a time making a make-shift stand so I could transfer it from the cherry picker to the engine stand!

 

I looked at an engine the other day that the guy had bolted a shorter chain almost tight to the heads, from front drivers to rear passengers side. The guy said it worked good, and his lift hooks were't all bent to hell. Give that a try if you want.

Baatzy

 

So I used these existing hooks on front driver and rear passenger side and put chain on as tight as I could.. Then I lifted it up and bent the hooks then dropped it and retightened it a whole link.. Then slid her home! Thanks for all the suggestions!