Pull Engine or engine and transmission?
 

Just curious, after reading up prior to pulling my engine for a set of new pistons, both the factory service manual and the Haynes show the transmisson and engine together. Can I just pull the engine? I have an 80 240D with an automatic. Thanks for your input!

i would think itd be much easier to just pull both, rather than trying to mate up an engine to a tranny thats already on the car

Pull them together
 

It is way easier to pull them together. You will probably have to seperate them once they are out of the car (to place on an engine stand) but it is significently easier to mate them out of the car. We once had to mate a SD's engine to it's tranny in the car and it was a huge pain in the butt.
--Matt

I've never replaced an engine or transmission in a Benz, but I rebuilt the straight six in my AMC. I pulled the engine without the trans. After spending 3 or 4 hours trying to mate the engine to the trans in the car, I finally gave up and yanked the trans. The AMC has much more room to work in than any Benz I've ever seen. Anyone who can mate an MB engine and trans in the car has my respect!

having done both, I'd heartily recommend pulling them together. And get a good engine tilter for your hoist, that's a must. Also, I've had the easiest time of all by not raising the car at all during the removal process. The lower the better.

Thanks for all the great comments. I will pull the engine/trany together. Pete, I do have a load leveler for my hoist, thanks for the tips. I am planning on pulling the engine on Wednesday the 26th. Have most everything un-hooked now and will have the time available then.

hope you saw the thread I bumped entitled something like "I need help with an engine change!" The turnbuckles I used the last time made it SO easy, definitely worth it if your "leveler" is a cheap one like mine. Have fun!

arpy15

The load leveler is the "ticket" as you must tip things close to 45 degrees, another person is handy but its not a bad solo job if you can take your time. Be careful not to accidently separate the drive shaft, it may not be marked. Would nt hurt to mark it while your under there cutting things lose. I used the Haynes manual. Have fun :)