pulling Engine and transmission

[Jim 793]

I need to pull my 312 engine and 3-speed transmission on my 56 T-bird. My shop manual only talks about pulling one or the other. I am trying to find out if there room enough to pull both together?

[nomadbird]

The automatic transmission and engine can be removed and replaced from the car as a unit. Can't think of any reason why the manual transmission would be any different.

Tom D.

[Jim 793]

Just bought a cherry picker and will try later taday. I will let you know if I am not able to pull both together.

[ashmatk2000]

Jim, one piece of equipment I highly recommend having just removed both from my '57 is a leveller. Eastwood and others sell it. It allows you to angle the engine and trans while removing. This is extremely helpful in getting all out over the front sheel metal. Good luck.

[Jim 793]

Looked at a load leveler and they wanted $55. I have done things the old fashon way and just tied a rope around the exhaust pipes and pulled engines in the past. Guess I need to spend the extra money.

Any idea what the engine and trans weigh together? I'm betting just under 1000 pounds.

[ashmatk2000]

Jim, I think your assumptions about weights are correct. I had the picker boom extended to the 1/2 ton mark as necessary to extend over the front sheet metal and I had no problems. I did have to raise the front end slightly in order to slide the frame rails of the picker under the car (It wouldn't clear the A arms otherwise). No big deal. If you elect not to buy the leveller, be prepared for some fun as you pull the engine and trans forward in a level position as necessary to slide out the tranny, and your crank pulley bumps into the forward frame connector. Awkward but not impossible.

[Jim 793]

I bought the load leveler and pulled the engine and transmission. Big help. I could not have done it without the load leveler. I found to get the clearance over the sheet metal, I had about one inch between the cherry picker frame and the lower A-frame. Now, off to the engine overhall shop! The scary part is the cost estimates. They range between $1500 to $3500 for a basic overhall and 2-3 months backlog of work.