440/727 installation, anyone ever install the transmission in the car first?

[KillerBee]

Getting ready to install 440/727 drivetrain in a Challenger and I'm trying to determine the easiest way to avoid scratching everything up.

I don't want to drop the K member and install for underneath and I've done battle in the past trying to install the engine and tranny together with headers in from the top and not scratch everything up. 

I'm thinking of dropping the engine and headers straight down in the car then putting the car on my 4 post lift and installing the trans from underneath but I've also seen some installations where the transmission was installed in the car first then the engine dropped in.

Anyone installed the tranny first?
How difficult is it to bolt the transmission to the engine if the transmission is sitting in the car?
If I could get just a few tranny bolts installed I could put the car on the lift and finish the tranny and converter bolts from under the car.

Thanks.

[1 Wild R/T]

Thats the same as pulling the engine without removing the trans... Been done millions of times.... But if your concerned about scratching things & don't want to drop the K (don't blame you) I'd drop the motor in first then install the trans....

[KillerBee]

My concern is if I drop the engine in the car then get it up on the lift to install the transmission from underneath hopefully I can get the transmission (with converter installed) lifted up on the tranny jack OK.
Then trying to get the 727 bell housing fitted up to the back of the engine between the headers.

On my 4 speed cars I install the engine with flywheel, clutch and bell housing bolted on then put it up on the lift and install the 4 speed transmission from underneath.

[73cudabr]

It's really not an issue bolting the housing of the engine to the trans. Goes in pretty easy. Instal the trans, put a small jack under it so you can raise or lower it when the engine is going in. it should just fall into place. Also I leave my headers unbolted and sitting in the engine bay. Once its in I bolt them up. Bonus that you have a lift. Will make the flex plate bolts and mating the headers to the pipes nice and easy.

[cudabob496]

I removed and installed my engine with tranny in place, by myself.
Piece of cake!

[1 Wild R/T]

Chrysler is easier than Ford, you can basically ignore the convertor, On a Ford the convertor has studs that need to be aligned with the flex plate while the engine is going in, adds an extra challenge...