Pull The Engine Or Drop The Transmission

A few things I consider: Do I need to work on the trans/xfr anyway? How recently or easy is it to remove front clip? Do you have a car lift? Any engine work that needs to be done on a stand? In most cases I pull the motor. I did it out and back in in a day when I did the hydraulic clutch and had to change the fork. But judging by the poll results, I'm doing it wrong.

 

Yup. I pulled the engine when I did the M38A1, because the grill hinges out and removes in about five minutes. And a lifting loop is OEM on top of the engine. But also, because I was rebuilding the engine....

As I recall it was not too awful.

 

Another that drops the transmission/transfercase. IME, way less time than removing radiator and all the other stuff up front. If you don't have a transmission jack, GET ONE. Your back and your patience will both be happier. They also make aligning things much easier when putting it back together. I use a piece of 3x3 angle bolted to the jack and a couple of ratchet straps to secure the transmission/transfercase to the jack. The typical chain clamps don't really hold that awkward assembly on the jack well.

 

Pulling everything is a 5 min job easy.