2.3 duratec bell housing bolts

[bkbonnell]

Swapping a 08 2.3 into my 2010 2.3. Its my First swap so learning as i go. Wondering how to get at the top two bellhousing bolts on the 08 2.3 duratec. Intake manifold is stuck on(bottom bolts are rusted) so i cant remove that tell i pull the engine. Ive tried jacking up the rear end of the trans to get abit more clearance up front on the top but that only helped with the upper side bolts. Im using a gantry crane to remove the engine so im unable to get the right angle to pull the trans and motor as one.
Any help or tips would be appreciated as ive got to pull two motors


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[DeanMk]

" Ive tried jacking up the rear end of the trans..."

If you're trying to get to the TOP two bolts, you'd want to let the tranny drop DOWN.
This will, in turn, tip the back of the motor downward and expose the top bellhousing bolts.....hopefully.
At that point, it will likely take a bunch of extensions and universals to reach those bolts, but at least you'll now be able to reach them.

...and then I had a thought...

Back in the days when I worked on commercial trucks, I found that on early 90's F450's that the cab and front clip were spot welded together on a HUGE flange that ran from one side to the other.
Made pulling the 5-speeds those things came with a P-A-I-N.
I found that the spot welds were all near the top of the flange, so I took a cuts-all wheel and an angle head die grinder and cut about 2" out of that flange.
Clutch job became a breeze!
Check your truck and see if you don't have that big sheet metal flange, too. If so, check where the spot welds are....you might find room to cut, too.

Dean