Planning ahead for my rebuild on this "68 F250 Highboy....doing engine rebuild/engine swap.

I have read on this site and other sites, about pros/cons of pulling engine with or without transmission. ??Main issue seems to be just getting good access to torque converter/flex plate, etc to get all bolts loose. BUT, I read where the engine block also has metal dowels/pegs, that can be hard to loosen and/or align.... and that it can be a challenge to get things lined up well when re-installing. I have NEVER done either, so looking for advice.

I have access to a good engine hoist and engine stand. I can remove my front clip, so not have to raise engine up so high.... If I weren't so tight on space in my garage, I would pull with transmission.
I thought that without having to lift high, it would be "more direct" line up with the transmission and torque converter.... "IN THEORY"

Do people have advice on pulling with or without transmission. The current transmission works well and I haven't had need to rebuild/service it.
If the "standard" way of doing this is pulling both together just tell me. Or if there are just too many work arounds when leaving transmission in, then JUST TELL ME!

Have just never done this before, so want to make sure I have a good plan in place
(current truck is "68 F250 Highboy, with old tired 390 engine, and stock manual transmission)
thanks!

 

It sounds like you are just going to work on the motor and not the trany right?
If that is so then I would pull just the motor.

Be cause your truck is a 4x4 and add a high boy you will need to pull the nose or at least the grill & radiator support because a normal engine hoist will not lift it high enough.
just my .02
Dave - - - -

 

Dave
Thanks for advice. Yes, just engine work. Was planning on pulling the radiator/radiator support.... I just didn't know how hard it is to detach the transmission from underneath, and how "tight" things will be.

 

I am confused, you make reference to two completely different transmissions in your post? What do you have an auto or a manual? There isn't a torque converter or flexplate that was ever installed in a factory highboy because they were all manual.

 

If you have room pull the front clip and engine and transmission as one. You'll thank me getting it back in.

 

sorry....I meant the clutch/bell housing and all the stuff where the transmission connects to engine.....its a manual....thanks for pointing that out

 

Thank you in advance!!
Can you elaborate a little? ....Just trying to understand the issues at hand
thanks man!

 

It's a lot harder connecting the transmission under the truck instead of on a stand or floor. A transmission is very heavy, especially if it's a 4 speed or automatic.

 

If you have a manual trans then you have to pull the transmission from underneath and then pull the engine and bell housing together or pull the engine and trans both together. Holding the manual up while laying on the floor and wrestling the manuals splines back into the clutch can be pretty hairy unless you are a big fellow.

 

On a highboy it's very hard with the cross member to get everything lined up. I suggest removing the hood and pulling the front clip as one unit. You can then pull engine and transmission as one unit. It's much easier to do it this way. Alternatively if you are up to it you can pull just the core support and leave hood and fenders in place. It's just a lot more bolts. Here is a picture of my 68 when I slid the Cummins in.