As described in another thread I've removed the heads from my son-in-laws TE 3.0 Magna Auto. So now, under the hood, basically all I am left with is an engine block bolted to the auto transmission. It seems like now would be a good time to lift out the engine and replace the welch plug behind the flywheel thats been weeping for the last 12 months.

Can it be done simply by unbolting the block from the tranny? Or I do I have to remove the tranny, drive shafts, etc first.

My workshop manual shows the engine being lifted up out of the car without the transmission, but thats after they describe how to remove the transmission. They don't actually say if removing the tranny first is essential or not.

I'm hoping I can unbolt the engine block and just raise it a foot or so to replace the welch plug. Anyone done this? Once the drivers side engine mount is removed is there enough space to separate the engine and tranny?

Don't know if it helps you or not but I always unbolt the K-frame and engine/tranny mounts, steering shaft, radiator hoses, free the aircon compressor...then I just lift the body up leaving the engine and transmission with all suspension etc on a 4 wheel trolley and wheel the whole lot away.

Much easier than wrestling with it under the bonnet.

But yeah...if you put a block under the bell housing the engine will come out with a wrestle.

No need to put a block under the bell housing, the front and rear roll stops and the gearbox mount are left attached and support the gearbox.
With the heads already off it's basically a matter of unbolting the inspection plate and undoing the torque converter bolts then sliding the torque converter away from the drive plate (approx 12mm).
Remove starter motor, unbolt ac compressor from bracket and support appropriately.
Remove the harmonic balancer.
Remove accessory idler pulley.
Unbolt the intermediate shaft from the block
Unbolt the gearbox from the engine.
Unbolt the engine mount and lift it out.

Pretty sure that's about all that needs removing considering you've already got the heads off.

Thanks guys. I just dont have the gear to lift the car body or the entire motor. But lifting out the block to replace that hidden welch plug was possibly do-able. However now, after seeing how thin the water jacket/cylinder wall is (only 5 mm) I'm doubting that is worth the trouble either.

If nothing else I'll be trying to salvage the auto tranny. Any suggestions about the easiest way to do that from this point?

.

If nothing else I'll be trying to salvage the auto tranny. Any suggestions about the easiest way to do that from this point?

You'll need an engine crane.

I would still drop the whole lot down underneath by unbolting the k frame.

Find a tree and lift the whole lot up.