Question of the day...Can a small block be removed from a 1965 convt without pulling the transmission out? I've never pulled one out of a Corvette before and need to know before I order a crate motor. On the reinstall is there sufficient room to line up the motor and tranny shaft or is it better to set the motor then install the transmission? Also, what other gremlins might pop up? Thanks, Phil

 

I've never pulled an engine before but so many others on here have that i'm sure they will chime in soon.

In the meantime, I recall reading that's it's easier to pull both at once. I think it gets tricky to try to line up everything to reconnect motor and tranny on reinstall if you don't. Not impossible but much harder.

i'm sure many others will jump in on this and give you a definate answer.

 

I pulled the engine in my 64 and left the tranny in. Very easy to do. I used an adjustable bar on the hoist to help. I had to remove the fuel pump on reinstall though, it was just too tight with it on . Other than that it was fine.

 

No problem,
Have a floor jack under the bellhousing to support/move trans as required. Will require some jiggling when you put it back together. Be patient and have the clutch well aligned prior.

John

 

Pulled mine a few months back w/o tranny and it was very simple.

 

Can't imagine why you do not take the trans out with the engine

It only requires removal of shifter (which allows you to clean and re-grease ) and removal of speedo cable. ( 2 bolts in shifter + 3 nuts on trans )

Drive shaft yoke slips out.. and its only 4 nuts to remove anyways.

it is SOOOO much easier to put engine and trans in as a unit then to mess with trying to get trans through clutch and get it all aligned again while try to work in such a small space, let alone, on your back.

I went through this with my 427 in my 66, I have done it both ways.

IMHO
Engine+trans =
Engine alone =

ok, my 2Cents

Chuck

 

66-
I must humbly disagree. I was a Chev dealership engine/trans tech from 1980-88. I have never seen a pro pull both at the same time. I think it probably has to do with a mindset that the less stuff you mess with, the less trouble you will get into. On some vehicles this is actually the quickest way to do a clutch.

I will freely admit that there is a knack to getting the clutch lined up, but it all happens from the top, get a floor jack under the bellhousing, visually line up the gap, and wiggle repeatedly. I think that getting the motor out of the engine compt. is scary enough without dragging a trans along with it.

my .02, either way will work.

 

Quite simple, I had no reason to pull the transmission, plus I had to take it off the engine anyway to replace rear freeze plugs! I can't speak from experience about manuvering the both in and out of the engine compartment, but the engine alone was pretty simple. And engaging it with the tranny on the way back in took next to no effort. In fact, it was the fuel pump that gave me more problems getting the engine back in then the tranny did.

 

I too have done it both ways - this last time I only pulled the motor but I pulled the tranny out later anyway (long story). I'll put them back in together. I think as long as your lifting device is big enough you shouldn't have that much problem doing them both. You have to lift it pretty high and it is un-nerving seeing that bugger up above those crazy expensive fenders. But if you do it right (safely, professionally) you should have no problem.

It is slightly harder to mate the trans with the engine with the former in the car but each method has it's good and bad points. I think it's a wash.

pm

 

I've done it both ways in the past. As for getting the tranny to mate back up to the engine with fair ease make SURE you get the clutch plate splines centered up with the crank bushing perfectly. They'll be hell to pay trying to get that tranny input shaft inserted into the bushing, otherwise .. ! . .

John

 

take the transmission out. I have done it on my 64. You will need large engine hoist to get the height. It will be a lot better good time to check clutch and transmission for maintance.

 

The use of an engine tilter makes the job easier and safer.
Check this out:
Click here

 

If the tranny is fine why on earth bother pulling it? Just pull what needs pulled!