[Greg Reid]

I always prefer to pull the engine without trans myself. It's really not that hard to get to the mating bolts when the trans is left in the car.
If you do separate them before pulling, remember that you will need to support the front end of the tranny the entire time the engine is out of the car. The trans isn't that heavy (compared to the engine). You can suspend it from the upper cowl with a couple of coat hangers, nylon cord or what have you.
As Kurt says, it's not that difficult. Take some time to visually inspect and study the engine compartment. Look for every single thing that's going to stay with the car when the engine is pulled....then make sure they are disconnected from the engine before pulling.
The only other thing is to make sure you are going to have clearance. That is, remove the hood, radiator, distributor....You know, the stuff that may get broken when that 700 pound engine starts swinging around.
As for lift points, the Pontiac engine has one 'lift ring' cast into the rear drivers side of the block. On the front passenger side, there is a bolt-on ring on the water pump.

[rexs73gto]

I to like to remove the engine & trans a the same time. It makes it easier at least for me because you can put them back in as a unit , it only takes a little bit more work to put them in together. When you take them out together you can save yourself some time when it goes back in, as the whole thing will go in not harder then just the engine itself.

[68gtoMN]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

I always prefer to pull the engine without trans myself. It's really not that hard to get to the mating bolts when the trans is left in the car.
If you do separate them before pulling, remember that you will need to support the front end of the tranny the entire time the engine is out of the car. The trans isn't that heavy (compared to the engine). You can suspend it from the upper cowl with a couple of coat hangers, nylon cord or what have you.
As Kurt says, it's not that difficult. Take some time to visually inspect and study the engine compartment. Look for every single thing that's going to stay with the car when the engine is pulled....then make sure they are disconnected from the engine before pulling.
The only other thing is to make sure you are going to have clearance. That is, remove the hood, radiator, distributor....You know, the stuff that may get broken when that 700 pound engine starts swinging around.
As for lift points, the Pontiac engine has one 'lift ring' cast into the rear drivers side of the block. On the front passenger side, there is a bolt-on ring on the water pump.

Good call Greg - I spaced that out. Located at rear of engine block, behind valley pan ridge, close to distributor. This is essentially a hole cast into the upper portion of the block through which to attach the "hook" or chain.

[mudslinger]

My son and I just pulled the 400 out of his 68 a few weeks ago.
I ain't pulled a engine myself in over 30 years, actually went rather well, except we went by the service manual instructions and it said to split apart at bell housing...4 speed.. for removal.
I knew as soon as we did it that way there was no way we where going to get it back together that way.
One thing we did was we disconnected the wiring harness at the cowl and left it on the engine . Kinda figured doing it that way would make it easier routing and attaching the harness to the new engine prior to install.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by 68gtoMN

Good call Greg - I spaced that out. Located at rear of engine block, behind valley pan ridge, close to distributor. This is essentially a hole cast into the upper portion of the block through which to attach the "hook" or chain.

Ah....I see you had already noted that on nos. 19 and 20. Well, good advice can't be repeated too many times, right? lol

[Drag Star Le Mans]

If you are going to pull the engine and trans as a unit put a slip yoke in the back of the trans or you will have a big ass mess!!! Didn't read that in any of the posts? Maybe I missed it?

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by Drag Star Le Mans

If you are going to pull the engine and trans as a unit put a slip yoke in the back of the trans or you will have a big ass mess!!! Didn't read that in any of the posts? Maybe I missed it?

#24 on Kurt's list...lol
Actually, I think someone else mentioned it too.