Pull transmission without torque converter?
 

Is it possible to pull the transmission, leaving the torque converter attached to the engine? The engine is on the ground, and I don't have an easy way of getting under it. I don't particularly care if I damage the trans, its completely blown anyway, but I don't want to damage the engine/flexplate.

It'll come apart for sure. If the motor is in the car if you don't take the converter with the trans you'll put a lot of pressure on the front pump and you can damage it. If the engine and trans are sitting on the floor of the garage just slip them apart.

The input shft will pull out of the torque converter and you can leave the converter bolted to the flexplate.

Watch out for clearance, though. The bellhousing will require more clearance at the firewall to clear the TC. I.e.: will need to be pulled further to the rear to clear the sheetmetal.

Jim

Be prepared for a oil mess if you just split the two and leave the converter on the engine.

It is far easier to unbolt the converter from the flex plate than it is to try and catch the oil.

Pull the starter as sometimes there is enough access, otherwise tilt the motor over a bit for access to the bell housing hole.

how did the engine/trans get on the floor? don't you have a lift available? did the combo get fluids drained before you got it on the floor? keep in mind, if the trans is original, it will have a plastic nub that will keep the TC in the trans. it's on the side of the bellhousing, I think it's about 1/2 way up on the driver's side.

The engine/trans are in the corner of the garage, difficult to get the lift into place. I just undid all the bolts and took the plastic plug out, they came right apart. Thanks guys :)

The torque converter has a drain plug right on it so it can be drained before separation.