[JUDGE3]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

Lifting with a plate on a aluminum intake is fine, the fastener strength of one (5/16ths) bolt is over 3 times what you're lifting. The only important item is to have more thread engagement into the aluminum intake than a cast iron intake needs, 4-5 threads isn't enough. Rule of thumb is twice the thread engagement into aluminum of the diameter of the fastener, which would be 5/8ths of an inch.

FWIW, one grade 2, 5/16 bolt tensile strength is 3878 lbs, 4 bolts is around 15,000 lbs, or 4 complete cars. A Pontiac V8 with a TH 400 hanging on the back of it is under 1000 lbs.

Lots of overkill, reminds me of someone that has 20,000 lb jack stands under a 4000 lb car.

Totally agree lifting by the intake likely no issue. the fastner definetly was not the thought, rather the threads in the intake. my luck would be they fail. thats the "what if" thing in me.

huge complement on "Overkill" lol, that should be my middle name, I have overkilled everything my entire life just my nature. probably drivin by paranoia? always thinking "what if" especially when it comes to safety.

construction, hobbies, preping for camping, doesnt matter what the deal is I overkill it. but..........it has saved me and made me grin many, many times when the what if happened and I had planned for it! love it when that happens. love it when it happens and my wife says to someone "oh, it was no big deal for him, believe me".

[lust4speed]

I usually prefer both as a unit, but with a long tailshaft and the shorter engine compartment of our A-bodies I would go with separate installs. That long shaft is going to require the car to be higher than what people have experienced with the normal short shaft. This also requires additional lifting height from your cherry picker and I've seen a lot of units that just won't go that high.