Ok I need some support here

[John M.]

Re: Ok I need some support here

Been picking them up like this for many years, and have never given it a second thought.
Your post however, got me to thinking, and I looked up the tensile strenght of several grades of bolts. Grade 2 in this size will have a 55,000 PSI proof strength, Grade 5 will have 85,000, and Grade 8 will have 120,000.

I then calculated the crossectional area of a 1/4" bolt at .049 Square inches.
The proof strength of a single bolt would be 2700 pounds for a Grade 2, 4165 for a Grade 5, and 5850 pounds for a Grade 8.

If you multiply this times 4 for the 4 bolts, you will find that even with crappy Grade 2 bolts, you will have a proof strength of over 10,000 pounds of load. Even if you assume that the threads in the manifold are not in perfect condition, you will still have a load ability of over 5,000 lbs, or roughly 10 times the weight of a smallblock engine! With Grade 8 bolts, the load capability of these 4 bolts will exceed 20,000 lbs.
Pick it up by that carb plate, and don't give it a thought, like I did for years! LOL

Regards, John McGraw

[Loren L.]

Like the others, I don't think it is a

problem, but if looking at your setup sets off warning bells, how about 2 chains, each going to two of those 3/8" bolts that hold the exhaust manifolds on.....

[Dick W.]

Re: Ok I need some support here

Dito to what most say. No problems with a lift plate. I have used them on a lot heavier engines that a 454. Ever see a V-549 International. Over 1,000# fully trimmed out. More worried about the hoist that the plate.

[Chris S.]

Re: Ok I need some support here

never had a problem with a lift plate

[Roy B.]

Re: Ok may have bad holes

I dont think I'll chance having bad holes so I'll just do it my way

[Tracy C.]

Re: Ok I need some support here

I'm with the pucker crowd on this one ...

The bolts aren't what concern me, it's the threads in the cast aluminum intake that I worry about.

I normally use longer bolts through the corners of the intake that anchor into the heads.

tc

[Mike M.]

Re: Ok I need some support here

not to worry tc, if ya borrow the neighbor's hefty heifer and place the ole damsel under the engine as you lift it with the plate. mikie

[Chuck R.]

Re: Well? heres the way I see it

First of all, thanks for all the posts pro AND con

As my 350 has 1967 heads on it, I'm pretty confident that the heads will NOT have the bolt holes for Joe's lifting brackets, so I can probably discount that option.

Guess I'll bite the bullet and try the lifting plate.

It's tough not to revert back to the old school ways, but this ain't no 454 buss engine either.

Thanks again to all.

Regards,

Chuck

[John M.]

Re: Ok I need some support here

Chuck if the threads in the aluminum are Ok and you do the calculations, at about 50 % of yield, each bolt and thread will hold about 1100lbs. I'd say it's pretty safe.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Just how heavy IS a 350?

All dressed out from pan to carb and fan to pressure plate?

[Terry F.]

Re: Ok I need some support here

Patrick,

Just a suggestion. If you are going to attach a steel tab to the engine, you should use bolts that can be tightened all the way down so the steel tab won't move and the bolt has some torque on it.

There is a tendency for the threads to get screwed up the way you are doing it. The long bolts you are using are acting like a lever and pulling laterally on the bolt hole. The lifting and swinging motion of the engine can put a lot of wear in a short period of time on those threads. Also, I can't stand leaking intake manifold bolts.

Just my humble opinion. Terry

[John H.]

Re: Just how heavy IS a 350?

Chuck -

About 550# with the flywheel and clutch.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Thanks John

Guess I should still keep the toes out of the way then huh?

Chuck