I got an engine hoist from Harbor Freight for about $200. It was well worth it. I jacked the rear of the van High disconnected the engine/transmission (auto) as one, dropped them down onto a piece of plywood on the engine hoist base. I unhooked the hoist and pulled them out from under the van. Easy as pie. From there I pulled them apart to send the tranny for an overhaul and the 1.27 ring and pinion. It was much better than wrestling with floor jacks like I did when I did a simple swap rather than a conversion. 

To put them back, reverse the order and put them in as one unit again. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 29, 2017, at 8:02 PM, joe kallo <quietglow@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Stuart,
> 
> I just used that very jack for a transmission pull on my van and loved it.
> Well worth the expense.
> 
> Joe
> 
>> On Sat, Apr 29, 2017, 9:59 PM Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I'm thinking the same thing.  I did this once on my '68 with a manual
>> transmission, but that was a lighter assembly and no cooling system. I
>> think
>> I'll pick this up tomorrow:
>> http://www.harborfreight.com/450-lb-low-lift-transmission-jack-61232.html
>> $80 with the always available 20% off coupon.
>> 
>> I'm taking the tranny down to German Transaxle and trading it in on their
>> "turbo" version (Audi transmission section) that's on the shelf waiting for
>> me. A mini vacation in Bend too.
>> 
>> Next will be installing the Subaru & transmission as a unit, or not. I
>> think
>> I need to do it as a unit to set the mounting point for the engine mount,
>> but I'll ask that question on the Subaruvanagon list.
>> 
>> Thanks!
>> 
>> Stuart
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Dennis Haynes [mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com]
>> Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2017 6:11 PM
>> To: Stuart MacMillan; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: RE: Pulling engine/transmission together?
>> 
>> I tried a number of times. Unless you have a lift and real good method of
>> dropping that assembly and then moving it is a bit too much to manage. If
>> you do remove it as an assembly leave the torque converter attached to the
>> drive plate. Letting it bounce a bit on the shaft can damage it. After
>> removal the transmission is easy to manage and move of lift as needed. A
>> good transmission jack can make moving the engine or transmission easy and
>> help lift it to a bench or stand. Drain as much of the fluids as possible
>> to
>> reduce the mess.
>> 
>> Dennis
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>> Stuart MacMillan
>> Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2017 8:57 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Pulling engine/transmission together?
>> 
>> I'm finally starting on my conversion project, and both need to come out.
>> Which is easier, both together or separately (automatic transmission)?
>> I'll
>> disconnect everything before removing either, including the torque
>> converter.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> I have multiple floor jacks and a hoist too, but I'd prefer not to use it
>> unless it makes things a lot easier.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Thanks!
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Stuart
>>