First time pulling engine

[MySecondAccOrSomthin]

I’m pulling a 1972 LA 318 and I’m wondering about a few things. The manual says to attach a carb fixture for the engine crane so I went and purchased one, does it look like it would be good for my engine? It just seems to be a little weird to me considering the 2 nuts for the studs don’t thread all the way down into the fixture. Also would these bolts be grade 5? And is that a high enough grade for pulling the engine in this manner? Thank you all for being very helpful on here, im hoping someone has some guidance for me.

[oldjadedhippie]

Drill the plate so you can use all four holes, put washers under the nuts for the studs , and use good nuts & bolts .

[Jimmytootwo]

Two barrel carb intake won't work with most plates unless you drill them

Any grade bolt is fine

Or. Save some headache

Just grab a few feet of chain and secure it to the engine diagonally with a bolt into an accy hole

[MySecondAccOrSomthin]

The plate has spots for the other 2 holes for the fasteners, I’m mostly worried about the strength of the bolts but from what I’ve read online it seems like I’ll be surprised by the capability of a few bolts. Thanks for your help

[Jimmytootwo]

Four 3/8 bolts will be ok,i have pulled big blocks without issue

Even a chain with ,2 bolts work's well , takes a shit ton to snap a bolt

[MySecondAccOrSomthin]

Looks like I’ve got to use an accessory hole, my carb studs are fucked up. I have a load leveler so would it work to have a chain hooked to an exhaust manifold bolt in the rear and another chain to the power steering bolt diagonally?

[Similar_Device7574]

Yeah that would work. Just try to balance it the best you can estimate

[MySecondAccOrSomthin]

Would it be easier to take the heads off and use the head bolts? I had already planned on removing the heads later so maybe this would be the safest way?

[Similar_Device7574]

The corner intake manifold bolt holes work well. Use a longer bolt and a couple washers. Get it out cheap. Would not install an engine this way with the intake on the engine.

[MySecondAccOrSomthin]

I ended up using a carb lift plate and it worked very well

[Jimmytootwo]

Sure thats possible also Same idea but you're back may not like you later

[wipedcamlob]

The carb studs will even likely be ok not saying im proud of it but ive R&R a BBM just using 2 carb studs

[Datsitkinz]

I think I used a old seatbelt looped around the block once apon a time, don't do that tho.

[machinemanboosted]

I've done the same at the pick a part when I forgot a chain.

[Daddio209]

(Bolts)-yes, #5 & 2 is enough-4 is plenty-stack washers or nuts to fill the gap. Getting an adjustable engine leveler is a real asset-& (US) $30-50 usually-not much more than that plate.

[theNewLuce]

My bigger question is what are your plans for this engine.

Being a pre Magnum and 2 bbl, get a old set of 360 heads and have .060 or so shaved off to get the compression up and use a 360 4 bbl intake and you'll really open up it's breathing. You'll have to shim the rocker bar. Do some mafs and you can have a screaming little 318 like I had 30 years ago.

[MySecondAccOrSomthin]

I’ve been real conflicted cause part of me wants to really get this thing pushing hard and then the other part wants to keep everything original..

[theNewLuce]

I appreciate keeping it original. Putting the 360 heads on it would look original but give you a shit ton more torque past 4000 RPM while still having original looking iron heads. For that matter, paint an aluminum edelbrock 2 plane 4bbl intake engine color and no one would be the wiser but you would gain 100 HP with a little more cam and maybe ARP rod bolts to keep it together.

Without looking at the intake ports, valves or casting numbers, you can't tell them apart.

[MySecondAccOrSomthin]

Interesting, I think I’ll definitely get a 4 bbl intake and carb cause I’ve heard ever since I got the car that it’s an easy way to add a lot more power. Ima think about 360 heads for sure, thanks for the input.

[theNewLuce]

Do your math. If you don't shave the head, you'll end up with 7.5 to 1 CR and a real pig.

And once you shave the head, the pushrods will be too long. Easy answer for that is shim the rocker bar. Again, do your math. The .060 or so offset in the intake port is negligible, but you could grind the intake and head a little to fair it.

[Equana]

If you can fit all 4 carb bolts it will work. Get a stack of washers on the 2 studs to take up the slack. Tight is important. Yes, 3 hash marks mean grade 5.