Pull engine with transmission or only transmission

[BT124]

I'm having my spare transmission rebuilt and when done will be installing in my 1979 Spider. Any opinions on whether it is easier to pull engine and transmission out of car and swap transmission versus just changing out transmission?

[So Cal Mark]

no reason to pull the engine if you're changing trannys, it's just ALOT of extra work

[bradartigue]

If you are also doing some engine engine work (e.g. head gasket, oil pan gasket) then remove the head and pull them both. I find it easier to remove both at the same time, esp. if you don't have an overhead lift. But the motor/transmission combo can be tricky if you leave the head installed.

[azruss]

I find you need to pull the shifted to get just the tranny out. disconnect the extension from the top and remove the shifter thru the bottom. remove carefully as it is loaded with a light spring. you want to keep track of how it all goes together.

[bbuckl]

I need to have the gearbox rebuilt and wanted to change the intake and timing belt, so I pulled it all out together. Once I dropped the centerlink, pulled out the radiator and got the car up on jack stands, it came out pretty easily. Hopefully it goes back in as easy...

[BT124]

Thanks for the advice. the engine is surprisingly strong,so I'll just pull the transmission. Good info on the linkage.

[BT124]

Pulled the transmission last week and put in a rebuilt one. Bought a clutch and pressure place from Mark (thanks!!!) fair amount of work, but worth it because it works great. One minor problem is that I sometimes have trouble getting all the way into reverse. I think the shift lever is bumping into the opening for shifter. I need to do a little more investigation on this. Like someone pointed out I had to remove linkage before tranny would come out. Thanks to all!