[bsblguy]

I pulled the pan and removed old rope seal, installed viton rear main on my 455 '75 trans am with engine in car. Wasn't fun but doable. Don't know on a gto though.

[Sirrotica]

Originally Posted by bsblguy

I pulled the pan and removed old rope seal, installed viton rear main on my 455 '75 trans am with engine in car. Wasn't fun but doable. Don't know on a gto though.

There's more room on the second gen F bodies chassis than there is on a 68 A body to get the pan out, still no picnic, but a little easier. Pull the engine and it makes the job much easier, plus the engine will drip oil on your head for 2 days after you pull the pan. I've done it both ways and if I had to recommend to someone which way to do it, or do it myself again, I wouldn't even hesitate to pull the engine.

A little background on me, I made my living pulling wrenches for close to 40 years and when I worked for myself as well as flat rate in a dealership you find out the easiest/quickest way to do certain jobs. In your case pulling the engine will probably be quicker and with the engine on a stand your success rate at having a job that doesn't leak the first time goes up exponentially.