I am trying to pull the engine from my 400 Convt and I am having a heck of a time. I have everything done except for the unbolting of the bell housing. I can't seem to access two of the six bell housing bolts (the two on the sides). Is there a trick to this I am missing that anyone could enlighten me with? Thanks!

I have never pulled my engine , but I ve heard that most people seem to think its easier to pull engine and tranny as a combo...
anyone??

Q?
Brett?
Hugo?

i use a wobble socket and a long extension and get all 6 from underneath. i use 3/8 because it is smaller, and adapt it to a 1/2" driver at the end.

the wobble should be impact style because it is round drive, and stronger than the chrome square drive kind. they can be had at sears for about $10 for a universal wobble. about another $10 for an adapter, and another for a super long extension. dont just pile extensions together, you lose torque, and they can come apart and hurt.

you can also get the top 2 with a wrench from the top with the distributor out, if that's the 2 you are talking about. they are all on the sides. you only get about a quarter turn at a time tho. the center and bottom bolts can be had easily from underneath with an offset box wrench.

it is best to pull the engine and transmission as a unit in these cars, but i know sometimes it is not an option.

remove the Transmission cross member, and slowly lower the engine and tranny allowing the engine to pivot on the engine mounts. This will give you a few extra inches! Just watch you don't let the distributor to hit the firewall.

I have pulled my ebgine several times out of my 400 convertible and I find it sooooooooo much easier to pull the whole enchilada (motor and tranny) together.

i use a long extension with a 9/16 swivel and zip them out with my inpact in 30 seconds.

Thanks for the input fellas. One more follow up question if I could. Will I have to dismantle the entire front of the car to get the motor and tranny out as one. It looks like a very long assembly as one unit and looks like it might be a tight squeeze?

No , just remove the hood.....

At least thats what I think I have seen.....as I said before , I havent done it myself...

I think after hood is off , and of course other parts ...I think hood is the only "body" part that needs off....
Im` sure you`ll have others confirm or deny this...

Bjorn,is right all's you have to do is remove the hood and pull the motor and trans. in one piece that's how I did mine.But what out for the dist. I also would put a floor jack under the trans. remove the crossmember then the trans. with the motor out of the car let the jack be the wheels for the trans.Also very important before you drop the trans. remove the driveshaft and buy a plastic plug to put in it's place or you'll have fluid all over!!If your thinking instead of buying a plug you can just leave the driveshaft in your right but they alway's seem to pull themselves out then you have a mess!!

if you have an engine leveler it makes it pretty easy. there's plenty of room with just the hood off.

Another option is to leave the bellhousing on the motor and unbolt the transmission. I install the bellhousing before installing the motor.

Here's another vote for the engine leveler. I don't know how I did it without one before!

You have to getthe front end pretty high off the ground to pull engine and tranny as a whole easily, as well. I've done it both ways and pulling/installing the whole is much easier than just pulling/installing the motor. I third the load leveler!!! I'd recommend removing the radiator, as well.

Thanks for all the input fellas, I got the motor and tranny out in one peice and as we speak, my beautiful 400 is getting a .30 overbore and head overhaul. It'll be nice to be able to run unleaded in the car going forward too. I can't wait to get her back in see what this engine can do with proper compression. Thanks again!

Jacking the rear end end up on another product works wonders for engine/trans removal. Should work on a Bird as well