Any Advice or Tips on How to Remove the Engine & Trans from my 71' Charger SE?

[71ChargerLVR]

I have a 1971 Dodge Charger SE with a 440 magnum. Can anyone give me some valuable advice as to how to remove the Engine and Trans? This is new to me and I was told it can either be done with or without the trans connected to the engine. More importantly, when I start the removal of the trans and engine, what is the reccommended first step? Do I start with the rear drive tran? Any help would be much appreciated, even if it's in the form of a reccommended "How to books" to buy.
Thank You
Chris

[defiance]

When I removed mine I did it without transmission, but I've been told if you jack the front of the car up a bit to angle out the transmission tailshaft, it's actually easier.

Then there's also the underneath option - if you have a lift (or other methods, there have been quite a few examples on this site) you can unbolt the front end/steering/etc and drop the whole thing out the bottom.  It's supposedly much easier if you have the means.

[RogerDodger]

The first thing is to unhook the negative battery cable. After that the sequence isn't important. Drain the cooling system. Take the bolts out of the fan shroud and slide it away from the radiator. Remove the radiator and then the shroud. Remove the fan, belts, p/s pump, alternator and a/c if equipted. Remove all linkage, electrical and vacuum lines. You should take some pictures to refer to when putting it back. remove exhaust manifold bolts and motor mount bolts. If its an automatic you can separate the motor and transmission but I'm not sure how that would work on a standard. Most of time I remove them together because its not really any more work. Remove the driveshaft, shifter linkage, speedometer cable, electrical and clutch linkage if standard shift. You will need to support the tail section of the tranny before unbolting the tranny mount. Not sure if the cross member needs to come out too but it may. Be prepared for some fluid to come out of the tranny when tipped up. There may be something I missed but someone will chime in.I know this is a pretty condensed version but I hope it sheds a little light on it. Good luck.

[71ChargerLVR]

Your replys helped allot it shed more then just a little light. Basically right now I have the car stripped and drained the only thing still intact in the engine and trans. How do I remove the trans from the engine or disconnet it from the trans mount?

[RogerDodger]

If the tranny is attached you need to angle it pretty good to get it out. Its good to have someone to help.

[471_Magnum]

To get it out with engine and transmission together, jack up the rear as high as you can.

Also, spend $30 on a leveler from Harbor Freight. Makes the job much easier and safer. Once you've pulled a motor with one, you'll wonder how you ever got by without it. Best $30 I ever spent.

[defiance]

If you do it without the transmission, there are 5 bolts that bolt the transmission to the engine; they face forward through the bellhousing.  Then unbolt the flexplate from the converter (four bolts, I believe) and you're done.  Still, everyone tells me it's easier to jack up the back (I know, I said front earlier; I misspoke ), so there you go

[71ChargerLVR]

Im going to remove the engine and trans toghter. What are the steps to take once I have the rear end jacked up?

[RogerDodger]

I didn't have to jack up the back of my 74 when I pulled it. If you do make sure its secure. Have you removed the linkage and speedometer cable? Take the weight off the tail section of the tranny with a floor jack. Remove the bolt through the transmission mount and remove the cross over frame. If you haven't removed the driveshaft remove it too. Bolt a short piece of chain to the motor (like I did in the picture from the previous post) or use a leveler like Magnum suggests. Use a bolt where the exhaust manifolds were bolted on on opposite corners of the motor to keep it balanced. Hook your lift slightly toward the front of the motor to allow the tranny to hang low as you pull them out. If you haven't removed the motor mount bolts now would be a good time. Jack it and guide it out. Allow the front of the motor to come up and the transmission to lay low. Expect fluid to come out of the tail section of the tranny.  watch for anything you may have forgot to unhook. Good luck.

[71ChargerLVR]

Thank You so much, to all of you for all the Helpful step by step advice. Ill be posting pictures up soon of the work in progress and i'm sure I'll also be posting up some more needed Advice.

Thanks Again

[Mean 318]

I pulled my 318/904 out of my Coronet a month ago. I first pulled the neg. cable off. Then took the radiator out, next came the alt and power steering pump. Then came the carb, all linkage and speedo cable. My car had AC so I had to pull all of that carp off. I next took all of the wiring off and out. Umm... then I took the drive shaft out, you do this by removing 4 bolts at the end of the shaft by the rear. The end of the shaft will drop, it may need a little help with the rubber mallet. Then just slide the other end out of the trans. Next I wasted a lot of time trying to unbolt the exhaust from the manifold. I ended up just unbolting the manifold from the block. Then I unbolted the trans mount and then the motor mounts. To get the motor and trans out I had to lift it up and push the car back. I think thats it... good luck!