My Corvette is going to return to me in a few weeks from the body shop and I will begin to do my engine swap. My question is, would it be easier to remove the engine with the trans still attached out the front if I remove the hood, radiator and such or take them out seperatly? They both are going to be replaced at the same time so I would rather have them still connected to simplify things. Also can the new engine/trans be installed connected together? i would rather mate them outside the car so I am not risking my torque conveter getting crushed. I will definitaly be using a cherry picker and extra hands for help. If you have done this before on a vette whats the best approch? P.S. I have done one successful engine swap on a mecury cougar before so I am sort of knowing what I am doing. Never done a chevy corvette though. Thanks Guys.

With an automatic trans I have found it simpler and safer to pull them seperately. The bigest pain is getting the bolts on the top of the bell housing but it still is easier than fighting with trying to balance them together. JMO.
It can be done either way.

Definitely seperate. To make the bell housing bolts easier, here's a little "trick" I use. Have a friend on top to help.
Take a VERY long extension (Or many extensions), approximately the length of the trans. Slide the socket and extensions from the back of the trans, your friend on top can guide them onto the bolts as they get close. I have found that to be the best way to get to those top bolts. Hopefully it works for you, and others. If you do decide to pull them together, in addition to the cherry picker, a come along is a must.

Together. Have 1 or 2 friends to help, but it is a lot easier to join them out of the car.

I would pull the trans, then the engine. Granted it's easier to mate them out of the car, but much more difficult to remove and install in one piece. Just be sure the torque converter is fully seated before installing the trans and you won't hurt it. Very easy to do.

Ken Styer

|UPDATED|2/27/2004 10:42:29 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I have pulled three, one big block and two small blocks, all with turbo 400's. It was easy to pull the engine-trans as a unit on the small blocks, but I separated the big block. I re-installed the small blocks as a unit also, with no one to help. I used a good lift and had no trouble.

You have to get the car higher in the air to install them joined. Remember to take out the distributor before pulling the motor. Joe

Did mine as one unit. Had a engine tilter devise. Made life much easier.
Make sure that your cherry picker will reach all the way from the nose of the car to a little past the carb. I had to put mine in from the side. The boom on my 4400 lbs cherry picker was an inch shy from getting the engine in. Vettes do have a really long front end.
Tape a soft towel or something around your hoist were it would contact the nose of the car to prevent knocking some paint off the nose of your vette.
Have fun
Sarge