Installing headers -- While engine pulled or after re-installed?

Scody21 said
It is harder to leave the transmission in the car to pull the motor. With a 4 speed, you have the bell housing bolted to the block then the trans bolted to the bell with 4 bolts and the few for the cross member / mount. The input shaft on the trans is about 8 inches going though the throw out, clutch and then into the pilot. And the trans only have the rear mount to support it. The motor would have to go forward enough to clear the input shaft. On a lift the trans is out in about 20 minutes, in the ground / stands it’s about 30 minutes.

As for the headers, yeah the full leingth are tight going in, and it’s a dance of installing the headers as the motor is being lowered but it’s not aweful like headers in a 67 nova… once in there is plunty of space. A magnum starts is the “mini” and is necessary. Would also get a heat shield blanket to wrap the starter.

Thanks, good info. I'll be doing this on the ground. This has what I think is the original 6 cylinder radiator, and I'll replace it with a Cold Case or something. Will having the radiator out of the way give the clearance I'd need? Are you recommending pulling the trans first and then the engine, or pulling them as one piece?

I've read that with the transmission attached it really takes two people to get it over the core support, although jacking up the back end can help with that, and even airing down the front tires. Using a ratchet strap to support the trans while removing the engine and then supporting it with a floor jack when it's going back in is another suggestion I saw in an article here. With the transmission attached you need a leveler (which I have), but you lose a fair amount of lift height needed to clear the core support. I suppose a gantry would be ideal, but I don't have one. A four post lift in the garage would be really nice.

If I do pull the transmission, I'd also have to disconnect the 1&2 and 3&4 shift linkages, pull the drive shaft, and probably remove the cross member. If I have to, well, then I have to. But I was kinda hoping to avoid that :)