I know this subject has been beat to death, but there are too many inconsistencies so I'm going to ask here. I'm installing my small block with aluminum heads, FIRST intake, and T-56 attached into my car soon. I'm worried about lifting all that weight on the aluminum head threads. Here are the choices I see for attaching my load leveler lift chains:

1. Attach to water pump bolt holes in the front, bellhousing to engine bolts in the rear (red circles).
2. Aluminum head front and rear threads. (Bluish circles)
3. Front and rear intake manifold to head bolts. (brownish circles)
4. Remove fuel rails and attach to those bolt holes. (red circles)

Let me know what you guys suggest I attach to? Also, how long may it take to drop it in and have the engine on the motor mounts?

 

Blue circles on the heads will do fine.

 

The heads or block end points would be best.

 

any holes with 3/8" tapped threads will do... or even 5/16" tapped threads..

i've never done a TPI engine, but i use a lift plate that bolts in place of the carb whenever i do a carbed engine.

 

Be very careful if your using the heads as a lift point. You will need some plastic backing plates or something else to prevent damage to the aluminum. If you just bolt a chain to them it will gall the hell out of the heads.

As for the manifold, it should never be used, especially on a TPI engine. Maybe for lifting the engine by itself, but with the trans it will be too heavy.

 

Thanks all, I feel much more confident in making the lift from the heads. I will definitely use some plastic washers and cloth between the chains and anything they may come in contact with.

 

I installed my engine recently and chose option #1. I would rather take my chances with cast iron threads than aluminum. I also recommend putting something (towel, cardboard, etc) around the ends of the heads to keep the chain from potentially scratching them up.

Just my 2 cents. Hope this helps!

 

I ended up using new bolts in the aluminum heads (option 2 above), no problems whatsoever with the install. I did put some old rags between the chains and the motor to avoid scratch/gouging the hell out of it.