pulling engine with carb plate?

You'll be fine. I've done it numerous times. Aluminum intake engines, with iron heads, and a 4 speed attatched....

There is a video online about a company who tested this theory. They had an aluminum intake and used 4 grade-5, 5/16 fasteners to secure a lift plate. I think they pulled it to damn near 5,000 pounds before the hook pulled through the hole in the steel lift plate! Not even damaging the threads on the intake...