Which way to swap? Separate motor and gearbox in place or pull together?

[paulclark]

On a 64 Dart with 3-speed, to swap a different 273 in, would you remove the engine and transmission together, or would you disconnect the engine and trans leaving the 3-speed in place? Assume you have a lift, tools, jacks, etc.. From what I know most mechanics would pull only the motor and leave the trans and linkage in place, for a quicker job, but that is also what a skilled pro would do and I'm not always that skilled. I had previously considered doing a K-frame drop, but I'd like to avoid chenging the alignment. There's also dual exhaust pipes to work around.

The end result is the same, any opinions which way is easier? Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[rumblefish360]

I like pulling and installing them together.
If I can, it’s not always possible, but when it allows, I like dropping the engine and trans on the K frame and dropping g the car body down on top of it. It’s a bit more involved but makes for a super clean and scratch free install, IF the situation is there do it in this fashion

 

[RustyRatRod]

I always remove together. It's tight with a slant 6 and you have to watch the tail shaft to the firewall, but a second person makes that easy.

 

[Rick@Laysons]

Get yourself one of these.....and remove/install the engine and trans together.

Summit Racing SUM-G1021 Summit Racing™ Engine Load Levelers | Summit Racing

With the leveler, it's a one-man job....

 

[rumblefish360]

Get yourself one of these.....and remove/install the engine and trans together.

Summit Racing SUM-G1021 Summit Racing™ Engine Load Levelers | Summit Racing

With the leveler, it's a one-man job....

Thanks for the reminder! I’ve had mine for a very long time and it’s just plumb worn out.

 

[Hyper_pak]

I always take the trans off.
I work alone all the time and for me it is easier.

 

[mbaird]

Yep ! You can tilt it as you pull it then level it off as needed to clear the header panel . Just pulled my engine last week .
Generally I drop it from the bottom but this time I am installing a 46rh and will need the K-member to position the new trany in order to figure out where I need to cut the floor pan .

 

[mbaird]

I also place a furniture dolly or a creeper under tail of trany so it doesn’t drag .

 

[RustyRatRod]

Our member @Badvert65 also sells a nice engine lifting plate that bolts to the had on a slant 6 and lifts the engine very nicely.

 

[1MeanA]

I’ve always used a load leveller with a helper except the last time where I dropped the car over the whole unit mounted on the k member.

 

[junkyardhero]

on the narrow bodies i like to R&R V8's with the bellhousing still attached, then just snap the trans in from the b-side.

 

[mcodecuda]

I was able to pull the 440 and transmission out of my 69 cuda in one piece without having to remove the hood.