727 Tailshaft removal ?

Kent mosby said
Is this common to have it in this position? Can I do as you said and rotate the tailshaft to get access? Or will I have to lower 6-8 inches?

Scody21 said
Thought the plate was under the trans cross member pad on both the 727 / 904. Makes me wonder if yours is older.

I would assume that once the tail housing bolts are out, it would spin so you have access to the clip as the other tail housing do. And as Demon said, duck bill spread pliers are necessary...

You can’t rotate the tailshaft housing even with the bolts out unless the valve body is out first.
The park rod is still sticking through the assembly in the tail shaft housing.
Usually the heads hit the firewall and that is basically your drop amount limit.
If you have a small block you need to take the distributor cap off or it will get broken.
I use two large flat screwdrivers to open the snap ring for the rear bearing in the housing.