Engine Teardown

[Doug&Deb]

This is the first of many probably dumb questions I’ll be asking. I’m tearing down and rebuilding a 230 out of a 51 Coronet. How do I remove the bell housing? It’s hanging on the dowel pins and seems to be hung up on the fluid coupling. Does that have to be removed first? The engine is seized so turning it to access the bolts isn’t an option. Do I have to free the engine first? I know I have to be extra careful removing the fluid coupling so I need advice. Thanks 

[Jerry Roberts]

Someone else will have to comment on the fluid coupling , but the dowel pins that i have seen can be driven one way or the other with a punch . 

[keithb7]

Same here. No experience with fluid drive. 
 

In regards to the bell housing, the area is often loaded up with road grime, grease and oil. If I recall, once de-greased and cleaned up I was able to see the dowel pins and easily punch them out. Then the bell housing was easily removed. 

[Dodgeb4ya]

Carefully pound the two engine block 7/16"  dowel pins in just enough so the bell housing can be lifted off the FD coupling.

One on the passenger side...one on the driver's side.

Use a good sized punch.

[tom'sB2B]

This may or may not help. Disregard the arrow. You can see we're the dowl pin is located.

[Doug&Deb]

I would have to punch them in the direction of the bell housing? 

[Dodgeb4ya]

Punch them towards the FD.

Only punch them in till the bell housing is free to lift off.

You can drive the dowel pins in too far and dent the FD housing...not a good thing.

[Doug&Deb]

Not to sound dumb but I’d have to punch them into the bell housing and out of the block in order to remove the bell housing. I can’t drive them further into the block. Am I overthinking it?

[Dodgeb4ya]

As you said...you need to pound them out of the block ( back towards the crank flange) and into the bell housing.

 

[Merle Coggins]

I did mine the hard way. I laid the engine on it’s side, removed the oil pan, rod caps, and main caps. I then removed the crankshaft with FD attached. Once it was all out I then separated the FD from the crankshaft. 

[Doug&Deb]

I got it. Thanks everyone for the help. Now onto the clutch and fluid coupling. I have wedges to put between the two. After wedging things in place am I removing the clutch and fluid coupling as one assembly?

[Merle Coggins]

I would separate them. The clutch will come off quite easy as you can spin it to access all of the bolts.