Eye Bolt for lifting Engine

Pa Joe

Pa Joe

Senior Member
About a month ago I pulled my motor out to get it rebuilt. Before I did that I seen that an Eye Bolt that screwed into the spark plug hole was used to attach a chain to the motor. I used two eye bolts. One in the first hole and the second in the third hole. I wasn't comfortable with just one in the third hole. Seems to me that's a lot of weight to hang on just one set of short threads. In fact, I wasn't comfortable with two eye bolts. Just wanted to get other barners thoughts. Hope my spelling was correct, I don't want the spelling police after me. lol
 
Pa Joe, Don't ever worry about spelling. as long as its understandable we will work with it and understand it. I put in our rebuilt engine this year and got it from a well know engine builder here in Canada that specializes in Model A. When we went to pick up the motor he had it hanging off 1 spark plug holder and I had the same reaction as you did. He assured me it's safe and has done it for many years. When I put in the motor at home I used 2 spark plugs like you mentioned just to be safe and never had 1 ounce of trouble.. Here is a pic of ours and you will be 100% ok with 2.

When your not putting the engine in the car I would recommend putting it on the ground so it's not hanging in the air for a long period of time but I'm sure you know that

Best of luck

Justin
 

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If you are more comfortable with it , try welding the eye bolts into a couple of old spark plug bases. Screw them in like a plug and they'll be stronger than the head. My 2¢
 
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I also have some homemade spark plug lifting eyes and when using them I always use 2, but as often as not I like to use a nylon rope or old seat belt wrapped around the intake and water inlet. This gives a better center of balance. The spark plug holes are a bit off center, so the engine leans to one side when using the lifting eyes.
 
Pa Joe said:
About a month ago I pulled my motor out to get it rebuilt. Before I did that I seen that an Eye Bolt that screwed into the spark plug hole was used to attach a chain to the motor. I used two eye bolts. One in the first hole and the second in the third hole. I wasn't comfortable with just one in the third hole. Seems to me that's a lot of weight to hang on just one set of short threads. In fact, I wasn't comfortable with two eye bolts. Just wanted to get other barners thoughts. Hope my spelling was correct, I don't want the spelling police after me. lol
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O.K. Joe, let's use a bit of simple engineering math to address your concern:

GIVEN:
1) The peak combustion pressure in a low compression model A is about 10,000 psi. (It's near 50,000 in a racing engine)

2) The plug thread is 7/8" in diameter.

A little MATH:
Surface area of 7/8" circle = 0.597 sq. in.
0.597 sq. in. x 10,000 lbs/ sq. in. = 5,970 lbs. (sq.in. cancels sq.in.)

CONCLUSION:
The threads in each plug hole must easily hold 5,970 lbs, way over 10x the weight of an engine and ******. ONE eye bolt with a working load rating exceeding the lift weight is sufficient, two is overkill, useful only for balance control.

ADVICE:
The weak link here is the load rating of the eye itself, not the 7/8 plug thread hole. NEVER use one of those junk rod-formed eyes from the hardware store Chinese isle of shame. Use only forged alloy eyes certified for lifting.
 
OK guys I'm convinced. I do have an excuse. This is my first Model A. And Mike, I got the eye from Snyders so I should be ok there. Thanks to all you guys. Joe
 
I guess it wouldn't be as wise to do the same with an aluminium head?


Anyway, on a similar subject, what is the best way to mount an A or B engine to a stand? Are the (3/8"?) holes on the transmission adapter secure enough (I know that hanging V8s off the half-bellhousing isn't generally encouraged)? And if stripping the thing completely, I suppose it is just as simple to sit it on a bench?
 
Rem said:
I guess it wouldn't be as wise to do the same with an aluminium head?

Anyway, on a similar subject, what is the best way to mount an A or B engine to a stand? Are the (3/8"?) holes on the transmission adapter secure enough (I know that hanging V8s off the half-bellhousing isn't generally encouraged)? And if stripping the thing completely, I suppose it is just as simple to sit it on a bench?
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Why not? 5,970 lbs of combustion pressure doesn't blow the spark plugs out of the threads on any head, iron or aluminum. The load safety factor there remains in excess of 10x per plug hole. The limiting factor is still the rating of the lifting eye itself.

The two 5/16 bolts used with the side adapters will have a safety factor of at least four IF you use true grade 5 hardware.

As for the half-bellhousing mount, you are now applying force differently. The flywheel cover casting becomes the mount lever-arm, subject to torque stress across a flat thin area. This would be the same type of stress experienced by the side-mount adapter itself. The side adapter is steel not iron. Iron castings are generally more rigid, flexing less with the same applied load, but pushed to the limit they crack instead of bending.

For stripping an engine, bench or stand is up to you. On a bench you will have to filp the engine at least once, there is no single bench position that will easily permit removal of valves, main bolts, and crank.
 
No one mentioned the importance of two lifting points coupled with an engine leveler will allow you to angle the engine properly to lower it into place. This is especially true if you are lowering it in with the transmission attached.
 
Frank Miller said:
No one mentioned the importance of two lifting points coupled with an engine leveler will allow you to angle the engine properly to lower it into place. This is especially true if you are lowering it in with the transmission attached.
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Like This?
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Mike, I notice that the coil in the picture is upside down. Is that because the newer coils leak? My new coil right out of the box (not even on the car yet) was damp on the top. I called FSI and they said to mount it upside down. To my way of thinking, a new coil shouldn't leak. The old one never leaked and it faced down. Your thoughts. Joe
 
i have mostly used the 2 eye bolts from vintage ford . never had a problem . ive also done it toms way . works well also , but note the double weave rope . dont use ski rope ..... steve
 
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