Engine Removal
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
Torque converter pushes into front of trans, so to get the engine out without removing it you would need to go forward and then up. Do it wrong and you could crack your pump housing. If you're already under the car to remove the bellhousing bolts, then remove the inspection cover and unbolt the converter from the flexplate. There are only 3 bolts! Only hard part is turning the motor over to access them all.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Did the engine stop running prior to removal? If there's a connecting rod hanging up on your motor mount, that may make it difficult. 
Although it shouldn't matter, putting the car in neutral may help.
Although it shouldn't matter, putting the car in neutral may help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
Last time I removed a trans, I was able to grab the flexplate and rotate it by hand. That was with the plugs in. Of course the car was on a lift. Things get more complicated if you're on your back. How are you trying to turn the motor over? Did you try a breaker bar on the balancer bolt?
