Engine lift plate
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
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Engine lift plate
I've seen people use them but I'm still very leary about using a engine lift plate. I can see maybe on a cast intake, but I'm using a alumiumn Edelbrock and lifting a 429. What do you guys think?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Not that I have any direct experience with using them, but I share your concern about the aluminum intake supporting that much weight. I'd make REAL sure I was doing the right thing before hooking it up.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
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From: The Big, Oregon
Used that exact setup, no problems. Don't use the carb studs, though, use grade 8 bolts with jam nuts (threads are kinda short in that intake).
If you have concerns, just use a chain and the 3/8" or 7/16" holes in the front of the left head, and rear of the right head.
Always use grade 8 bolts, and never get under it.
If you have concerns, just use a chain and the 3/8" or 7/16" holes in the front of the left head, and rear of the right head.
Always use grade 8 bolts, and never get under it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2004
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the thing that has always scared me about them is ive only ever seen them used on stripped down motors. like on tv when they are putting engines in hotrods, no brackets, headers, always aluminium heads never old iron ones, and usually a sbc. anytime ive seen a big block installed its always with a chain so this would leave me to belive that a 429 is a bad idea.
but ive never personally done it just my .02$
if you do decide to try it i would recomend making sure everything is unhooked so there is no unneeded stress and as said before dont stand under it
tony
but ive never personally done it just my .02$
if you do decide to try it i would recomend making sure everything is unhooked so there is no unneeded stress and as said before dont stand under it
tony
Last edited by littleme13; Jul 24, 2006 at 07:43 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 339
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From: north central Indiana
Recently read an article on engine lifting plates in a major automotive magazine. They ran some tests by anchoring the intakes and actually gauged the amount of "pull" it took to mess something up. In every test, the lift plate itself would begin to slowly distort and not once did they pull a stud. And it took almost unbelivable force to distort the plate as well.
I've used them quite a bit...never had an issue. I'm not afraid of using one, but use whichever method you're comfortable with.
I've used them quite a bit...never had an issue. I'm not afraid of using one, but use whichever method you're comfortable with.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 455
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From: Alaska
I have used these lifting plates for a long time and even have made some.
A 5/16 bolt has more than enough tensile strength to do the job and there are four of them, if you use a bolt long enough to use ALL of the threaded depth without bottoming out, you won't have to worry about the bolt pulling out.
When the plate is fastened tight to the intake manifold so there can be no lateral strain on the bolts, the manifold is more than strong enough for the load.
I would NEVER place myself under the load no matter how it was held up.
A 5/16 bolt has more than enough tensile strength to do the job and there are four of them, if you use a bolt long enough to use ALL of the threaded depth without bottoming out, you won't have to worry about the bolt pulling out.
When the plate is fastened tight to the intake manifold so there can be no lateral strain on the bolts, the manifold is more than strong enough for the load.
I would NEVER place myself under the load no matter how it was held up.
