Best way to lift a 390

[1930artdeco]

I need to lift an engine out of a uhaul box truck and position on a stand. It is a 390 so what I need to know where to place a chain and what bolts to use. I have read about using bolts that are on the front and rear of the heads but I don?t know what size they are. Any ideas? Maybe a head bolt?

This is just to get it out of the truck and onto the stand/ground for now. She won?t go into the car for a while yet.

Thanks,

Mike

[John Palmer]

3/8 x 16 GR8, F and R of the opposite heads.  Pull the carb and make the chain as short as possible.  If you have it, use a rotator to balance it.

[glr7533]

Picture of what John said

[mustang6984]

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                                                  :003:yep
Looks like mine...were you in my shop in Dungeness when I was loading?   

[59meteor]

I like using those lift plates that bolt onto the intake manifold, once the carb is removed. keeps dirt out, and is easy to balance the engine on the hoist, since it is picking straight up from the center. For years I used the diagonal chain across the heads or intake, much prefer the lift plate now.

[1930artdeco]

Thank you that is what I needed. For now I am just moving the engine from truck to stand. But when I go to install I will use a leveler. I am assuming I install the engine and tranny separately-correct?

Mike

[mustang6984]

I am assuming I install the engine and tranny separately-correct?

Mike

That depends on you and how much room you have under the car. I have done it both ways...and I have to tell you...installing the tranny WITH the motor beats crawling under the car and installing the tranny after engine install.    I just put packing blanket over the tranny (available from Harbor Freight or any U-Haul company store for cheap). JMHO!

[1930artdeco]

Ok, that is great news. I thought I read somewhere here that you needed to do them separately due to the tranny crossmember. But, if I need more room there is always putting her up on high positioned jack stands.

Mike

[mustang6984]

I have never left the tranny cross-member in place. I put it in afterword. Just put the floor jack under the tail-housing at the very back of the tranny...rise it up...install cross-member loosely...lower tranny down on to it...loosely bolt it altogether, then tighten up starting at the cross-member and then the tranny. Much easier than putting tranny in after engine is installed. Doing it that way...is for young guys with more muscles! LOL!!! As they say..."with age comes wisdom!" Somewhere along the way I got smart! I think it was the tranny and transfer case install on an old Dodge P/U I had...UGH!

[glr7533]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
                                                  :003:yep
Looks like mine...were you in my shop in Dungeness when I was loading?   

Nope. never been there. This was when I brought it home from the junk yard. It came out of a 67 ford wagon. It looked a lot different when it when into the 57.

[mustang6984]

One of mine came from a '67 T-Bird.

[1930artdeco]

I just picked up an old school engine stand and need to know what bolts I would use to hold it to it are. I can get the length but does anyone know the size and pitch.

Thank you,

Mike

[glr7533]

I believe they are 7/16 -14 coarse thread.

[SkylinerRon]

You may need to drill out the bolt holes most of them are drilled for sbc (3/8")

Goodluck,

Ron.

[Ford Blue blood]

Make sure that engine stand is not a cheap Chinese POC.  That 390 will be in extremes on one of those.  Don't need to ask how I know this......