Pulling motor and transmission

[Tom Hamilton]

I have inhereted a nice 56 from my parents. Problem is, it has not been on the road since 1990. The motor needs a rebuild so I figure to pull the transmission out and have it gone through as well. My question is: How is the best way to pull the transmission? 1) Pull it attached with the motor OR 2) Pull the motor from the engine compartment and the transmission from under neath????? Any replies will be welcome.

Thanks,
Tom H.

[YLWHAMR]

I just recently finished the R+R of the engine and trans on a 57 bird. I removed the engine first then the trans. It seemed easiest to me considering the trans would have to be removed fron the engine sooner or later anyway.

[Jerry]

I have a 56 and have pulled the engine for a rebuild and I pulled the engine and tranny as one. Get everything out of the engine compartment including the radiator. Use an engine crane with a leveler (it makes the job much easier). Unhook the shift linkage under the car. I removed the rear universal joint then the tranny cross member and unbolted the mounts and she came right out as one large unit. The engine leveler helped guide it out without hitting anything. By the way don't forget to jack the front of car up.

[Tom Hamilton]

Jerry, thanks for the reply. I did finally get engine and transmission out. I used a cherry picker to get motor and tranny out one at a time. All went well so far.

[ACthunderbird]

Taking the engine and tranny out separately is a lot more work. I agree with Jerry on this one, and an Eastwood engine leveler makes the mob easy. I have taken engines and trans out and back in using this method, and never nicked of skinned up any of the paint.