I'll be installing an engine and transmission within the next couple days, and I'm trying to plan ahead as much as I possibly can at this point.

So I want to tap into as much knowledge as possible that's represented here on this board through it's members. Do you guys think that it's a better technique to install the engine and transmission together as an assembly into my 66 vehicle, or do things go better when you install the engine by itself first, and then go underneath with the transmission to hook it up to the engine that way? this is of course a V8 428 engine with a C6 automatic transmission.

Should I attach the starter as far as bolting it up to the engine first, and then trying to install that great mass in the car as an assembly??

Also should I fully tighten and assemble the tranny to the engine and torque converter and cover plate, or will the torque converter damage or break the flex plate. From what I can remember I think I pulled out the assembly with the flex plate fully tighten and afterwards unbolted the torque converter flex plate assembly out the car but I am not for sure.

My tools:
2 ton hoist using the half(1000lb) setting (engine 650 - 680 lbs, tranny 208 - 218 lbs)
floor jack
trans jack

I've heard my engine will be lighter since I have all Edelbrock top end(heads, intake, carb, water pump and valve cover.

Vehicle:
1966 TBird, 428 FE engine, factory exhaust manifolds, C6 transmission

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I would assemble the transmission to the engine and tighten all fasteners to correct torque. Stater is your option. BTW, the Edelbrock pieces will lighten the engine by a bit over 100 lb.s. Raise the rear of the car and use sturdy jack stands to support. Raise the front as well and be sure to provide adequate support. If you have detailed the engine compartment, cover the fender wells and firewall with cardboard to protect your handywork. The engine/trans assembly will drop in with only minor coaxing. This can be done by yourself but I would recomend having at least one helper to make things go a bit easier. As you have noted, there is a significant amount of weight hanging on that hoist so go slow and be careful. Stay safe!

Been there, done that. So I can tell you...

My first car was a '68 with a 429 Thunderjet and a C6. When I burned the tranny out of it (first car, remember) I bought a spare CAR. My engine was fine but some idiot friend of my father's told me how difficult it was to swap out an automatic transmission, and he recommended that I pull both engine and tranny together and implant the setup from the donor car.

What a mistake.

First of all, the donor car's flywheel was missing a couple of ring gear teeth (read: excruciatingly difficult to start). Beyond that and although the donor trans worked fine, the installation of the joined pair was extremely difficult due to the angle of the pairing and height of the car needed to shoehorn the pair down into the engine bay. Car had to be jacked WAAAAAY up to clear the end of the trans underneath.

In hindsight, yes the C6 is heavy, and it's awkward if you're trying to stick it up to the engine from underneath. But that's nothin' compared to the hell I endured doing it the other way.

You say you have an engine hoist, so the lightened Edelbrock intake won't matter with regards to engine install. If you have a big, deep hole below the car, or some serious drive-up ramps (no, check that - ramps won't help you) you might be able to shoehorn the pair into the engine bay from above. But I doubt it.

And ultimately, what's the big deal if you have the trans adapter for your floor jack? It's six bolts from bell housing to engine block once it's jacked up in there. Dropping the engine alone straight down from above is so much easier than having to hang the pair from the water pump and then adjust the balance while you lower it.

It will be interesting to hear how others got the engine and tranny in in one piece. I hear its common but found the space limitations of the ceiling, the undercar etc. as mentioned by ACE always got in the way.

I didn't see it mentioned in your list of equipment but if you don't have an angle attachment to your lift I don't think you will get the joined pieces into the car. Without the attachment the lift can go straight up or straight down (and fore and aft).

Also, get heavy blankets or moving pads and protect the engine compartment particularly the firewall/cowl. You can quickly pull them out of the way when necessary.

thanks everyone for the information. I have the space along with tall 6ton stands, so I am going with putting in together. I will let yall know how it goes.

My dad was a mechanic for Ford motor company in the experimental division. What a great job. Anyway, when I was 15 years old I was leaving for school when I noticed my dad pulling a cherry picker into the garage. I asked what he was doing and he said he is changing the C-6 trans in 1970 LTD. When I got home six hours later he was pulling the cherry picker out of the garage. He pulled the engine and trans together, and put them back in six hours by himself. What a guy. Thus, I would say it's easier if they are together.