How difficult is it,or is it eaven possible?

[moparnut]

Can you swap out a bellhousing/tranny without removing the engine in an E body?

[Challenger6pak]

Yes, you can.  Just drop the tranny crossmember and let everything lean back and you can do it. If it is a smallblock make sure you remove the distributer.  I have used 2X4 blocks in between the heads and the cowl to avoid any damage to the cowl when the engine leans back.  Make sure the blocks are below the valve covers so the covers are not bent and made to leak.  You can lower or lean the assembly with a floor jack. 

[moparnut]

thanks Bud,I have done it on other cars but not an E body,so i wasnt sure and it is a SB

[GoodysGotaCuda]

yep sure can, i did it in my car not too long ago. I just put the back of the motor on a jackstand to keep it in place. I spent $60 at harbor freight and got me a scissor type trans jack which i feel MUCH safer using that when i tried it with a floor jack. Those trans jack/floor jack adapters look like a accident waiting to happen. Very happy with my cheap real trans jack, works great, very stable.

[Cuda72]

I'm planning on pulling the TF727 from my Cuda in a few weeks (after the weather gets too bad for cruising) and was wondering how high I would have to raise the car in order to drop the trans from underneith. Would I have to raisse the whole car, or just the front? I too will be buying one of those trans jacks from Harbor Freight. They had them on sale a few weeks ago and I'm hoping they go back on sale again.

[Chryco Psycho]

you wil need to be as high as the total heightof the trans + the jack to rol it out from under the car so approx 2' at some point to clear

[Jacksboys]

moparnut,
Yes the tranny can be removed, but I also would support the back of the engine with a jack and a 2X6 piece of wood just under the oil pan.  This will also let you raise and lower it quickly.  That is what I did when I was putting my engine and tranny back in my Challenger.

Cuda72,
I agree with Chryco Psycho about the height.  I did it the hard way with my 904, no tranny jack, laying on my back pushing it into place.  I don't suggest you try that.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I'm planning on pulling the TF727 from my Cuda in a few weeks (after the weather gets too bad for cruising) and was wondering how high I would have to raise the car in order to drop the trans from underneith. Would I have to raisse the whole car, or just the front? I too will be buying one of those trans jacks from Harbor Freight. They had them on sale a few weeks ago and I'm hoping they go back on sale again.

I have four 6ton harbor freight jack stands that keep the car nice and high. I did have to jack up one side of the car slightly to get the trans in-out from it. I prefer all four corners nice and  solid on stands..

[moparnut]

Thanks for all the advise.I have one of those School Bus Floor jacks,I can raise the car over 3 feet if needed and also huge jack stands that i have lifted many 4 wheel drives with,so I should have all the equipment.I am going to harbor Frieght today to get a tranny jack,I know i will use it more than once
This is the one I am going to buy

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=3185