Separating The Small Block 302 Ford Motor & Transmission. I started with the engine and transmission as one unit when I pulled it from the 72 Mustang. With the transmission and engine on the floor, I was able to loosen the bell housing bolts from the engine. The transmission was an easy slip out from the engine. The transmission & engine came out as one unit. With the transmission out of the way, I was able to remove the torque converter from the flex plate. Important note: You must use an impact wrench when doing this. If not, you will have to stop the engine from rotating while you break the bolts free. Once the torque converter was out of the way I removed the flex plate (flywheel) from the crank. I also had to use an impact wrench on these as well. These bolts were by far the tightest on this motor so far.
After disassembling the drive-train from the engine, I assembled the Harbor Freight budget engine stand and got it ready for the engine. I picked up 4 (7/16 coarse #8 bolts) from northern tool supply to use to attach the engine to the stand’s hub. I lifted the motor up with the shop crane, aligned the engine with the stand and mounted it securely in place. All in all this was an easy process. Luckily I did my homework and got the right tools for the job, This would be very very difficult if I didn’t have a shop crane or an impact wrench!
