Lifting a SBC with an engine hoist.

[78 GMC Jimmy]

Trying to lift a SBC to replace the motor mounts. Tried pushing up on the pan , but that didn't work. The pan just flexed, and the motor didn't move. Tried putting a block of wood and floor jack under the balancer, but that didn't really work because of the height and angles. So I want to use a cherry picker from above. Cant really get around the balancer with a chain or anything without snaking it around other stuff and I don't want to damage the front main. I put a pry bar between the balancer and the frame and tried to push the motor up, but no luck. I think there is a bracket on the driver side I can attach to, but nothing really on the passenger side. Cant pull from the header. If I was pulling the motor, plenty of stuff would be already removed, making it easy to use various bolt holes to attached a chain to. What do you guys normally do for lifting up a fully assembled / running motor?

 

[cheavyk10]

Pull the carb and use an engine lift plate. They're cheap and available at any parts store.
You do not want to lift off the balancer.

 

[70jimmy]

I have put a longer bolt in the exhaust manifold, I usually use 2nd bolt in from front or back to offset where th bracket is so I am lifting both sides equally, If you haven't already take the Trans slash tcase crossmember bolts out or loose so you aren't pulling against those.

 

[78 GMC Jimmy]

I have put a longer bolt in the exhaust manifold, I usually use 2nd bolt in from front or back to offset where th bracket is so I am lifting both sides equally, If you haven't already take the Trans slash tcase crossmember bolts out or loose so you aren't pulling against those.

Hmm. Ya, I was wondering about the crossmember, I should pull those bolts. Using longer exhaust bolts sounds reasonable.

 

[78 GMC Jimmy]

Pull the carb and use an engine lift plate. They're cheap and available at any parts store.
You do not want to lift off the balancer.

That's probably the proper way. I was trying to avoid taking anything off if I can avoid it. For the balancer, I don't want to mess up the front main, so I was trying to stay away from the balancer with chains or straps.

 

[sweetk30]

1 side at a time . floor jack and long board to side of motor / bellhousing area . done this way a few times .

dont waste your time with parts store stock replacements . they blow out to fast cause there so cheeply made .

 

[78 GMC Jimmy]

1 side at a time . floor jack and long board to side of motor / bellhousing area . done this way a few times .

dont waste your time with parts store stock replacements . they blow out to fast cause there so cheeply made .

Can you send a link or something describing the exact area?