I have a 1990 formula 350, l98 TPI. The engine is is blown the p/o threw a rod. The engine is ready to pull out except for the torque converter. I can't get the engine to turn to get the bolts out . Is it possible to pull the engine with the t/c still attached or pull both engine and trans together loosen the crank bolts to get the t/c to turn and get the bolts out. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Actually the majority of the guys on here pull the engine and transmission together. I've done it both ways, each has its own challenges.

I'm trying to imagine whether or not the tc would get hung up on the bellhousing if you tried to pull the engine with it still bolted to the flexplate. You'd definitely have to put a jack under the front of the trans and raise it until it hits the underbody, lifting the engine equal amounts and using a leveler to keep the angle right. Then maybe the motor mounts would be high enough to clear to pull the engine straight forward.

I bet that once the transmission is removed from the engine with both out of the car, you'll then be able to just unbolt the tc from the top and sides since the bellhousing wont be in the way anymore.

 

I belong to the "yank the engine and tranny together" club.

It's just so much easier to connect them back together out of the car and you can replace the tranny mount and seals on the tranny while it's out.

 

Jack up the rear of the car like 25+" and then the engine/trans comes out at an angle keeping the tail of the trans from hitting the ground. It's the best time saving tip I've learned from a friend of mine. Taking out the radiator and fans helps too I think. This way you don't even have to remove the engine.accessories. installation is the same also. It's so fast this way! I even have the trans lines on the trans while the engine/trans is being installed. Hate being under the car working with trans lines!

 

Thanks for the incite, the guy I got the car from started the tear down so the top of the engine, acc,rad have already been removed. So I will pull them out together. Thanks again for the help.

 

(I'm not trying to incite anything, but you need to learn the difference between "incite" and "insight"...)

I'm with the "pull them together" crowd. Much easier, in my opinion, to split them after both are out, and even more so going back together.

 

with it being blown..... pull both

 

I've put a rolling jack under the tail of the transmission to adjust its height and keep it from scraping as I pulled it out.

Yes trying to get the engine back in if you didnt pull the transmission was the hardest part for me last time. Took most of an hour trying to align them, then just suddenly got it right after my dad gave up helping me for the night and went inside.

 

Jacking the rear of the car up makes life much easier

 

I pulled mine seperatly, but looks like Ill be pulling them together when I pull out my 389. You think the added length of the t56 would cause an issue when pulling together?

 

Hmm lift the rear

 

Ive never done it with the trans attached, but in your case I think it's the best solution. If you're going to have to line everything up to get the TC to slide out of the trans anyway, I think you may as well just pull the trans out with it.

 

I pulled them both together, raised the rear came out easy. Now i'll have to get it to an engine shop and see if it can be rebuilt, it broke the #7 rod in half and it was wedged into the bottom of the cylinder wall, that was fun trying to get it out.
Thanks for all the tips, helped pulling the engine and trans pretty smooth.

 

Would it be easier to pull it out the top or to unbolt the k member and just roll it out? I just took the hood off mine, removed the radiator and fans.... Reason I'm asking is because the car has good paint. I don't know how much of a risk I'm taking pulling out the top.