I've pulled them together with no problems but it was a close squeeze.

-Gary Burnette-

Well, I did pull it all together last month.  Had removed the radiator, then just unbolted the trans and engine and pulled it out together, all on a rented picker.  No special trick at all.  Did it by alone at 9 at night...done by 10:30.  I guess it was good I didn't ask anybody or I would have had more work than I did.

Here she sits, still together where I put it.  From a 55 Ford.

Hello Daniel! Your explanation I think answers my question.I didn't realize the combined weight or the amount of angle required to get the combination out.I thought it would be easier together but obviously I am incorrect.Thanks everyone for your input.

  

Because that automatic trans is so heavy, I say just pull the engine. The last couple of times I have done this, the easier route has always been the engine only. I have pulled the engine and auto trans out together before, but the angle you have to reach (yes, even with the radiator, fan, front sheet metal, etc removed) because of the way the frame is made makes the whole works a little difficult to say the least. Good thing I was "practicing" on a parts car. The angle has to be so steep on the trans so that it clears the firewall, it is almost impossible to do with a portable cherry picker. You almost need block and tackle a good 10 feet above you for the job. If you do decide to go this route, don't forget to drain your trans pan!

Pulling just the engine alone sounds like it might be too much fiddling around, but as you know, you will have to unbolt the four bellhousing bolts - 5/8" head, take out the starter, remove your eng/trans linkage, take off your lower trans access cover, and remove the bolts that hold the flexplate to the flywheel. This is really not too much to do when you consider the finagling of pulling both engine and trans together....at a very heavy total!

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

I have pulled a Y with an OD together, but it was always on a parts car. I think I always managed to break something when I was too lazy to pull the transmission first. I would never attempt it on a car I was planning on putting together again.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

My manual says the engine and gearbox cannot be removed as a unit (due to the length of the gearbox extension housing).

Even with the front sheet metal completely removed from the car it is still a fairly tight squeeze though it is the only way to remove the engine gearbox as a unit. Unless you are disassembling the front of the car there is nothing else for it but to remove the engine on its own. You can simply unbolt the gearbox from the bell housing (if a manual box) and support it when removing the engine though the gearbox will try to come out with engine as the rear mount is a slip fit.

In the past I have removed the front top panel which locks the bonnet which gives a bit more room in getting the engine out of the bay.

I hope this answers your question.

Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

I think that the problem is total weight of the Yblock 650 lbs and the FOM at 225 lbs and getting it all high enough to clear the radiator support. Very easy to scratch or ding something. What kind of cherry picker do you have? Do you have help? Can you pull the cherry picker clear of you car with the engine/transmission 4 feet in the air? All thing to consider. Pete

I am looking at pulling the motor out this winter to go through it as well as do the heads which need to be reconditioned.The Ford shop manual recommends pulling the motor and leaving the trans(Fordo) in the car.Is there any reason the transmission cannot come out with the motor?If I unbolt  and remove the rear transmission crossmember I cant see any reason why it would not come out together.Seems to be lots of room once the fan and rad are removed.I prefer working standing up as opposed to being under the car for unbolting the transmission.Any input appreciated.Thanks