The Ford Barn

DjNeil · 06-12-2016, 09:31 AM

Hi to all
i'm pulling the motor out of a 49 Merc
Should i unbolt it so the bellhousing comes with it or unbolt from the back of the block and leave the bellhousing attached to the gearbox
Thanks
Neil

texas webb · 06-12-2016, 09:47 AM

Unbolt the trans or pull togather.

19Fordy · 06-12-2016, 10:47 AM

If the front fenders, hood and grille are still on the car, I found it a lot easier to unbolt the transmission from the bell housing and remove each separately. Trying to remove both engine and transmission together as one unit is more difficult to control and the chances of doing damage is greater. If the front sheet metal is not on the car you can pull both together. Use a load leveler in both cases to make it much easier.

rotorwrench · 06-12-2016, 11:20 AM

You have to rig up a support for the transmission to remove the engine separately but it shouldn't need to be too complicated. The standard transmission is long on the 49 thru 51 Mercs so it won't come easily from the engine compartment unless you remove the radiator and top support and even then it it hard to get a center of gravity for the pull.

FoMoCo instructions in the 49 thru 51 Lincoln Mercury overhaul manual was to support the engine to remove the transmission from the inside of the cabin through the floor cover plate. Then the engine could be removed by itself. Removing the floor cover plate is a b!tch the first time but after you prep it properly with more modern sealants during installation, it is much easier the next time you pull it. The later 50 & 51 cars have a removable rear trans mount that makes removing the transmission possible from under the car but on a 49 the rear mount cross member is welded to the frame.

lotsagas4u · 06-12-2016, 12:58 PM

Ok, I am waiting for my flathead engine to be rebuilt, just got my transmission back from being rebuilt. Would it be easier to go ahead and install the trans now? It is a 33 coupe, with fenders still on the car. Thoughts?

19Fordy · 06-12-2016, 02:14 PM

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If you are sure the transmission is "good to go" I would install it first. Just be sure and support it at the front. Don't let it hang free.

39topless · 06-12-2016, 02:32 PM

If tranny goes in first you will need that tool for lining up the clutch plate to the tranny spline.

06-12-2016, 09:31 AM	#1
DjNeil Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 53	Pulling a flathead Hi to all i'm pulling the motor out of a 49 Merc Should i unbolt it so the bellhousing comes with it or unbolt from the back of the block and leave the bellhousing attached to the gearbox Thanks Neil

06-12-2016, 09:47 AM	#2
texas webb Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 637	Re: Pulling a flathead Unbolt the trans or pull togather.

06-12-2016, 11:20 AM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,410	Re: Pulling a flathead You have to rig up a support for the transmission to remove the engine separately but it shouldn't need to be too complicated. The standard transmission is long on the 49 thru 51 Mercs so it won't come easily from the engine compartment unless you remove the radiator and top support and even then it it hard to get a center of gravity for the pull. FoMoCo instructions in the 49 thru 51 Lincoln Mercury overhaul manual was to support the engine to remove the transmission from the inside of the cabin through the floor cover plate. Then the engine could be removed by itself. Removing the floor cover plate is a b!tch the first time but after you prep it properly with more modern sealants during installation, it is much easier the next time you pull it. The later 50 & 51 cars have a removable rear trans mount that makes removing the transmission possible from under the car but on a 49 the rear mount cross member is welded to the frame.

06-12-2016, 12:58 PM	#5
lotsagas4u Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Plainview, Texas Posts: 774	Re: Pulling a flathead Ok, I am waiting for my flathead engine to be rebuilt, just got my transmission back from being rebuilt. Would it be easier to go ahead and install the trans now? It is a 33 coupe, with fenders still on the car. Thoughts?

06-12-2016, 02:14 PM	#6
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,604	Re: Pulling a flathead Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If you are sure the transmission is "good to go" I would install it first. Just be sure and support it at the front. Don't let it hang free.

06-12-2016, 02:32 PM	#7
39topless Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 1,027	Re: Pulling a flathead If tranny goes in first you will need that tool for lining up the clutch plate to the tranny spline.