[Hammertime]

I am pulling the 455 out of my 73 and I have the front nose and radiator off the car. I want to pull engine and transmission together. I would like to get the bar and chains to remove it all at once. Is this the way to go? Also what size bolts thread into the block to secure the chains on the front and back of the block. First time doing this so good advice is needed. Thanks for the help.

[johnta1]

The bolts are 3/8 coarse thread. Like the bellhousing or intake bolts.
Make sure the tranny fluid is drained or you have a plug in the rear of tranny. Tranny cross member out is better also.

[Hammertime]

I have a plug and crossmember is pushed back out of the way. I appreciate the quick response.

[poncho-mike]

I recommend buying an engine tilter.

I pulled a bunch of engines and trannies together. I always removed the starter and exhaust manifolds, and plugged the tranny output with a yoke. As time went on, I also started removing the oil filter adapter to make sure I didn't damage it.

[Hammertime]

I removed the headers but will remove the filter. Is a tilter needed if the radiator and front end is removed? I planned on pulling it straight out the front.

[poncho-mike]

It's probably been at least 15 years since I pulled an engine out of a Firebird, and I never pulled one without the front end removed. The engine in a second gen Firebird sits low relative to the subframe, so I think you have to tilt the front of the engine up and the back of the tranny down to clear the subframe. I don't think you can pull the engine straight out because the tranny will hit the body shell before the oil pan clears the subframe. You can use helpers for muscle, or you can use an engine tilter. I pulled a lot of engines in the 80s and 90s, so I bought the tilter.

I have one of the original Transdapt engine tilters that has four chains that connect to the front and rear of the heads. I've seen some that attach to the carb bolts of the intake, but I wouldn't use them if lifting a Pontiac engine with the tranny attached. If this is a one time thing, I'm not sure I would spend the money on an engine tilter. But if you plan to do it frequently, it's worth spending the money.

[b-man]

It won’t come straight out the front.

The engine/transmission assembly needs to angle up to clear everything. I just did this in a GTO with no front sheet metal, I used a Mac’s Pivot Plate.

Sure there are other ways, if you like the easy way that doesn’t bang into things get a tilter of some kind.

The carb bolts or studs are plenty strong, guys gotta stop being afraid it works fine and not even close to failure.

[Hammertime]

Going to pickup a tilter this morning. If 50 dollars allows me to pull this off, then I’ll spend the money. I appreciate the sound advice from everyone who chimed in.

[Singleton]

I remove the transmission first, then the engine can come out without even removing the hood. It’s close, but nothing gets scratched. Carb plate, and a very short chain.

[dmorg1]

It helps if you raise em up a little.

[Hammertime]

Thanks for the advice and photos.