is it ok to pull m20 by two head studs?

[j0nny5]

is this an accepted method?or should i use weak looking hook?,my friend helped me pull my i motor and we removed head and used 2 studs,(friend knows his ish bout e30s and helped me before w other jobs)...than i did it again on the e motor,not that i really care about that block,but is this ok?need to know and cant find anything,trying to do my oilpan gasket in a.m.,thanks

[JTapper]

I used the hook and had no issues, but I also had the head on when I pulled it. It should hold the weight just fine.

[jlevie]

It is acceptable to pull the engine by a pair of bolts in the head bolt holes. While it looks wimpy and may bend a bit, the lift point on the front of the engine is more than strong enough to take its share of the weight of an engine and transmission. That is the only way I ever pull/install and engine.

[j0nny5]

ok,thanks alot for the info...one more question, how do you guys clear tranny over front of car with all the weight hanging from front? with the head studs i can lift tranny over front cuz wieghts more balanced,its not harder with head on cuz its so big? if not im bout to put my head on out of the car,thanx again

[quickervicar]

The first time I pulled the drivetrain I used a short length of chain with two hooks on the ends & used the "wimpy" front loop & the beefy rear hole (near the starter). This allowed me to balance/pivot the unit as needed to clear the front end.

The second time I pulled the drivetrain I dropped it out of the bottom along with the subframe. I don't like doing either. :(

[jlevie]

To remove or install the engine and transmission as a unit you need a load leveler. With it you can get the engine/trans to the angle needed to clear the radiator support and then reduce the angle as you lower in the engine.

[j0nny5]

alrite,u guys are the shit ,thanx,i will research the load leveler n bout to go look for that hole near starter,thanx

[Hallen]

Like this. Ignore the box. It was there to catch some shavings that were coming off the load leveler screw.