1.6 motor swap; can I remove the motor without trans attached?

[78sharpshooter]

Next phase of my 85 jetta 1.6 NA resurrection is installing a used motor. I have the bentley manual but it does not mention the removal of the engine without the trans attached. Can it be done and if so, can anyone give a brief list of the steps? The reason I am replacing the motor is that it had a used 81 motor installed in 2003 and the head coolant passage was corroded so it was burning coolant and after having the head welded up the reinstall resulted in stripped head bolt holes and after helicoiling several, other holes stripped so I am basically fed up with this one and have the opportunity to buy a used 1.6 NA for $800 which is very appealing to me. If this were any other vehicle besides a mechanical diesel, I would have taken joy in the recycling of it. But this vehicle is worth the blood and sweat thus far and I am willing to put in more.

[burn_your_money]

All said and done it is easiest to remove the engine and tranny as one unit.

[catlin_cava]

All said and done it is easiest to remove the engine and tranny as one unit.

I agree....I take my motors out and leave the trans in and its harder to work and causes more problems then anything lol

[Rabbit on Roids]

its easier to pull the trans when the whole engine is hanging in the air (or sitting on the ground) in front of you. i would never even consider taking an engine or trans out alone.. it looks damn near impossible to get the trans out with the engine still in a mk2..

[fatmobile]

I've removed trany without the engine,..
 had to drop the engine down low enough so I could pull the trany straight away from it without hitting the body.
 Might be hard to pull the engine far enough the other way if the trany is in place.