pull engine but leave tranny?

[Green79]

So I regrettably need to pull my engine. It's a '79 rabbit with the stock 1.5. It'll be torn down to a bare block for a bottom end align bore. I'm planning to remove most protuberances with it in the car (manifolds, vac pump, oil filter, alternator, t-belt and pulleys/sprockets, etc.). Should I pull the head as well, before yanking the engine? (At that point I might be able to lift it out by hand...)

I'd really like to split the block from the trans and leave the trans in the car. Anyone done this before? I'm thinking that with everything pulled from the front/pass. side of the engine, including the passenger side motor mount, I should be able to get separation from the tranny, no?

The last time I had the engine out I cherry picked it along with the tranny, but I'd like to avoid unbolting the axles, linkages, speedo, etc. this time.

Any and all tips or opinions are welcome.

[Quantum TD]

Unfortunately, there isn't alot of lateral movement allowed in the MK1 engine bay, due to the fact that the engine mount is right there. I guess if you removed the injection pump and the mounting bracket, you could pull it out and leave the trans.

Conventional wisdom says pull them together. I usually do that, and set my chain up so that the trans dips down about 12-16 inches, then I pull the unit out at a sharp angle, so as to clear the battery tray and the brake booster + master.

Either way, good luck

[Patrick]

My brother pulled an engine only in a '77 gasser a bunch of years ago. Wound up removing the trans anyway (almost) to put it back together for him. Had to pull one 1/2 shaft to get enough tip on the tranny toget it all back together. It's too tight in there to try and get the clutch back on the input shaft. Pull the whole thing.

[burn_your_money]

I've pulled just and engine on a mk2 before. Horrible horrible idea and I'll never do it again. It's very hard to seperate the engine and trans with it in the car, and in order to do so the tranny is only being held in by 10 little CV bolts. Take the whole thing out in one shot.

[Green79]

Thanks for the advice... you guys stopped me from attempting an impossible shortcut apparently.

I removed the intake and exhaust manifolds (along with most other peripherals), and the engine/tranny combo was much easier to get out than last time. The intake and exhaust manifold removal was the most beneficial I think. Now the block is at the shop getting an acid dip, align bore, new intermediate shaft bearings, and maybe a crank polish as well. Gotta try and find some green engine paint now.

[burn_your_money]

Glad to hear you got it out. Taking off all the accesories definitly makes it a lot easier