I am getting ready to pull the 350 and replace with 454. I have always pulled the trans. w/engine. I am thinking about just removing the engine because I will use the same trans. The weight of the bb and trans concerns me also. I will be using a leveler and lift. I have heard it is difficult to line up the engine to the trans. upon reinstallation. Thoughts? Experiences?

I've done it both ways...with the trans is 'easier' cuz of no bellhousing problems.....but w/o makes it easier to move the engine around.

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73 LT 454

http://www.cardomain.com/id/rscamaro73
http://community.webshots.com/user/rscamaro73

Here's how I would do it...

Pull the 350 with the tranny.
Separate them.
Clean and paint tranny after checking over all of the seals etc. It is so much easier to clean them and do any maintenance when they are out of the car.

Then...
Install the BB/Trans combo together but only if your lift/leveler will SAFELY tolerate the load.
What is the load rating on it?

Or...

Install the engine first and then install the tranny from the bottom. It is easier to align the tranny to the motor than it is to put the tranny in first, IMO.

Note... I've only swapped two engines in my life (both SBCs) and one tranny and I had a body hoist to use when I did the tranny swap. So, my experience is pretty limited here.

I'm sure someone else will chime in with their favorite method.

before u pull any thing support the tranny in it's proper place I have allways used rachet straps , as you start to hoist the motor out eliminate the the slack from the straps a few times and make it nice and snug supporting the tranny up as close to the tunnel as possible. wiggle it(MOTOR TILL IT FREES) WHEN YOUR READY FOR REINSATLL THE TRANNY WILL BE (SHOULD) be where you left it.
problem with reinstalling motor and tranny is you need to get the car up high enough to slip the tranny in at an angle and then its a bitch!!! to get the engine lift up high enough with engine attached to clear the radiator support

[This message has been edited by Pc3 (edited July 08, 2005).]

Well the load leveler/ tilter is rated at supposedly 4000lbs. A bit hard to believe but upon inspection I am sure it can easily handle 2000lbs. What is the weight of a BB and the trans? I am thinking about 1000lbs generously? The wratcheting strap idea seem like a good one.

If the transmission does not need any work I have always left it in the car. When you go back in with the engine you need to jack the transmission up a little higher than it normally sets. Slide the engine to the transmission then lower it to the mounts. I have even cut a few bolts to use as line up studs and screwed them in the back of the engine. Don't make them too long or they might not have the clearence to come back out. Mark

I am thinking about just pulling the engine now. The trans does not need servicing and only has 650 miles on it. What I do not know is how to support the trans and be able to move the vehicle a few feet.

umm ok ipulled and installed a new engine about 1 week ago in my 74, i left the trany in, to support the tranny i used a regular floor jack and a 2X4, i jacked up the trany , and then left the jack under the car, one really big tip before you start pulling the engine is to get a pair of car ramps for it, they are alot easier to use compared to stands , and they are a hellof alot more convienient in terms to manuvering the hoist/lift..... umm i didnt have any problems with my tranny when i went to reinstall the engine, just make sure that the engine gently floats to where the tranny and engine connect, i suggest two people, one under and one top....
it pulling the actual engine out, took me about 2hours, and installing and lining it all up took me about 1 1/2, but thats cause i had me dad help me.... but anyways yeah i would leave the trany in if it dosent need work, unless you got a nice lift...anyways thats my INFO for now hope everything goes smoothly, take care
-=Mike=-

Another tip- and this only applies if you leave the tranny in- un-bolt and leave the torque converter in the transmission rather than trying to pull it with the engine. More front pumps are busted trying to shove the converter in the tranny with the engine attached than actually wear out! It's also just as easy to bust the transmission input shafts, etc. when jerking the motor/converter apart. Fortunately, someone saved me from myself before I suffered from this, or I'd be telling you a horror story...

If you decide to pull the engine and want to leave the tranny suspended ,what Iuse is a 6'x1" square tubing and 2 pieces of chain and bolts. I lay 2 pieces of wood on top of the fire wall close the edge of the fender lip and then lay the bar across them so as to clear my fenders.Next I bolt the chains to the bar and then to the tranny where it bolts to the engine.Now you are free to move the car around without a jack or blocking underneath.

[This message has been edited by cattmann1 (edited July 13, 2005).]

[This message has been edited by cattmann1 (edited July 14, 2005).]

Another tip if you decide to leave the tranny in is to get about 2 1/2-3' of extensions with a flex socket on your rachet. With this, you can hit every bellhousing bolt from the tailshaft of the tranny and it will save you a LOT of time and busted knuckles.

i used a jack to hold the trans untill the engine was pulled then i used a 2x4 cut long enough to rest on each side of the frame.. i put it right up against the trans and put some bolts through the trans bolt holes and let it rest on the board so if i needed to i could move the car around

mdd, leave the transmission connected, and get yourself one of these:
http://www.myks-tools.com/images/pivotplatetranssmallfinal.gif

http://www.myks-tools.com/images/tiltAnimation3.gif

Found here:
http://www.myks-tools.com/index.html

We have one, and it works quite well!

Well I pulled just the engine which was no problem. It was a struggle lining up the 454 to the trans however even with a tilter. I did get it after I realized the angle and the fact that there is little space between the flexplate and the trans housing. Maybe with a person helping it would have gone a bit easier. That new gadget really looks intresting.