Hey guys, I'll be running a canton oil pan and using their dipstick that threads into the boss on the sump instead of using the provision on the block on a 455 I'm slowly putting together. What are my options on plugging the hole on the block?

Also, when the time comes to swapping engines, are lift plates good to go for a 455 with aluminum intake (performer #2151) and aluminum heads?

 

I use lift plates on everything, with a leveling rack if pulling the trans with it. For the hole, tap it and put a small threaded hex plug in it.

 

Assuming the 5/16-18 threads in the intake are good, and there is sufficient thread engagement, the shear and tensile strength of a grade 5 bolt would be good enough to lift the entire car. A 5-600 pound engine would be no big deal. I recall Joe posting a article a few years ago with a the math to support the theory.