When I went to pull the engine to work on the serpentine system, I couldn’t attach the left lift bracket because the coolant expansion tank was in the way. That’s the first proof-positive problem that I’ve had! When the engine went in the engine compartment was naked, but now it’s full of stuff… so the problem demonstrates progress, right?
The solution was to cut the left lift bracket and drill a new hole for the clevis. This was a bit of a chore because they’re Kent-Moore J-41798 brackets which were used on the OEM assembly line and are made from 1/4’’ steel. They list for $500+, but you can find used ones on eBay for around $100. If you have an LS, I highly recommend that you pick up a set.
You simply remove the left-front and right-rear coil packs and attach each bracket with the provided bolts. There is no need to stuff rags between the chains and the engine because the brackets are stout enough to keep the chains clear of everything. That said, I do use a towel on top of the supercharger to prevent scratches while I’m connecting everything.
The engine can now be easily removed/installed without removing the coolant expansion tank. A big thanks to Ken who brought these to my attention.
The painted gray edge is the chop line