afun'71

There are alot of local opinions about this so a few more won't hurt.
Removed engine and tranny separately from my '71.

Time to reinstall. What is easier/safer: with tranny attached or not.
Have engine lift with leveler but concerned about lifting all of that above my new paint job.

I know, I know, should have installed before I got it painted! :nono:

markdtn

Together.

TedH

My preference is to install engine/trans together from above. You install both as a unit and less cursing involved :cuss

Question: Auto or manual trans? If manual and you choose to install the engine and trans separately, it is normally easier to install the individual manual trans, bell housing, clutch and flywheel than to attempt to install the heavy/awkward auto trans and converter.

afun'71

Thanks for the reply. It is a 4 speed. I am told if install together that the front of the car needs jacked up so can get the angle correct while inserting with the tranny.

it just appears to be much easier to do separately but am told could have difficulty getting the spline to seat properly.

tiger

Absolutely, without a doubt, together. It adds approx 200lbs of weight, but it is a h*ell of a lot easier to get those six bellhousing bolts and (if automatic) converter to trans splines together sitting on the ground or as I prefer, on some old tires. I can see no good reason to do seperately. Even if the engine had been taken out before by itself, I would still remove the transmission, attach the two outside the car, and re-install.

Just MHO

Todbo

I've installed my BB auto several times without the trannie , with out any problem :smash:

Fevre

Depends on what you are using to install it and how much room you have to work with. I have done it multiple times unattached with the tranny being left in from the removal and find it not so hard other than mating the splines. My cherry picker did not like having the trans on the one time I tried and I did not like the angle I had to crank them to. Plus the 4 speed cross member is not removalable so you have to get the trans tail shaft up in order to clear the cross member, not an easy task by yourself. I prefer leaving them unattached.

Eddie 70

I installed mine this last winter as one unit. Motor and tranny. I just had two buddies working the cherry picker and I was under the car on my back guiding everything into place just where I wanted it to be. If I were to do it again, I wouldn't change a thing. Motor and tranny together. Mine is a 4 speed also.

GDaina

Attached...no need to jack the car...but one useful tool to have is a leveler

vettemack

I have done mine three times, all together, and all by myself. A leveler deffinitly helps

bloodvette80

I dropped the SB into my 75 withouth tranny (becuase i bought it without a motor and the tranny was already in). I know that many less f.u.k.s.h.i.t.s would have been distributed if i had installed both together. :yesnod:

no_radio

:iagree:

Did mine without a leveler, but had about 6 buddies over so there were plenty of eyes and hands.
There's a picture or two at my web site.
Jeff

BeaterShark

I don't think it really matters, although I'd be sure to have the bellhousing setup with the block if installing seperately.

When I put my motor in, we installed the engine/tranny as a unit and it was OK. Since then, I've had the tranny out a couple of times and it's not too bad to stab in from under. It's only about 50 lbs and is not a big deal to bench press in. We did have a load leveler, but we fought with it plenty to make up the difference. Maybe, I just had a cheap leveler, I dunno.


I'd definately have the front jacked up so you (or someone else) can help guide the tranny in place from underneath.

tshort

Here's another vote for altogether. I hate trying to work in crammed spaces and also when it's apart you have 2 times to worry about scratching the paint...together you only have to worry about it once.
Here's a pic just before pulling

And another while putting in

Chuck Gongloff

Together, but you absolutely MUST have a leveler/tipper. Get a good one, one with the spiral screw and handle. DON'T buy a cheapo....the kind with the cables and the ratchet. Chuck

BeaterShark

The one I have does have a spiral screw and handle. It still required a lot of effort and time to get it to tip the combo right and just about wore out my arm cranking on that darn thing.

ddecart

Last time I had mine out, I put the engine and trans back in as a unit. Went GREAT! Had a leveler, too though. Not sure I'd attempt it without one.

RC73

I would also install them together, just take your time, get a bud to help and the paint will be ok.

OkeeGuy

another vote for together...one thing that helped clearance a ton was removing the radiator support...

afun'71

Seems like together wins the vote. I do have the screw type leveler with the crank and a few buddys left that I have not wore out yet. :cheers: