Pulling engine and leaving tranny

[CSX321]

I'm pulling just the engine out of the '87 CSX. I've done this before, more than once, but it's been quite a while. It's all disconnected and hanging from the hoist, but I cannot get it separated completely from the tranny. It doesn't want to separate more than about 1/2". The only thing I can see that might be hindering it is the starter. Does that need to come off first?

[Fox]

yea starter should be removed, thats probobly it

[jonnymopar]

+1. Starter will hit the flywheel teeth if not removed.

[CSX321]

Of course! Thinking about it now, that makes perfect sense.

[Vigo]

Considering the starter bolts through the motor plate and the motor plate bolts to the engine, there's no way to separate the engine from the trans without taking the starter out anyway, regardless of what else it would hit.

Also, when taking a 5spd car engine out through the top, you have to remove the crank and water pump pulley, or maybe you don't have to but it makes it a LOT easier. Auto flexplate is much simpler and you don't need to do that. But then you'd be driving an auto.....

[CSX321]

you have to remove the crank and water pump pulley

Yep, did that. Years ago I replaced the Torx head bolts with 13mm hex head, so it was no big deal getting the crank pulley off.

[Vigo]

Yeah, I have a strong hatred for those factory Torx bolts.

[83scamp]

Considering the starter bolts through the motor plate and the motor plate bolts to the engine, there's no way to separate the engine from the trans without taking the starter out anyway, regardless of what else it would hit.

Also, when taking a 5spd car engine out through the top, you have to remove the crank and water pump pulley, or maybe you don't have to but it makes it a LOT easier. Auto flexplate is much simpler and you don't need to do that. But then you'd be driving an auto.....

+1!

I'm in the middle of swapping my Daytona to a 5 speed. I needed a LOT more room to get the 5 speed in, than get the auto out!