Removing V6 225 for clutch work

I've never removed an engine before. I need to do some clutch work on my CJ2A that has a later 226 V6. Do I separate between the bellhousing and the transmission, or between the bellhousing and the engine? It seems both of my manuals want me to first remove the transaxle and transmission, but that seems like a lot of extra work?

Thanks for the help.

 

Go between the engine and bell housing.

If you separate between the trans and bell housing, you'll have to move your engine straight forward ~7" to clear the input shaft before you can start hoisting, which I doubt you'll be able to do unless you've removed the front clip, in which case I'd say it would've been easier to take the trans down from the bottom.

 

Thanks Clint,
I've got the tub/fenders/grill all removed and doing a "complete" rebuild. Check out my photo. Do I need to loosen the crossmember under the trans in order to clear the motor mounts?

 

It should flex enough to clear it, but make sure you have something to support the transmission on the front once the engine comes loose.

 

Will do. Thanks again for the support.

 

Speaking only for myself, I'm also doing a frame off on a '71 CJ5 V6. I pulled the transfer case then the trans (they need to gone thru anyway) and then the bell housing while supporting the motor with a floor jack & piece of wood. Motor came out with no hassels with engine hoist. I also never pulled a motor before and it only took me an afternoon to do it.

 

I just got done with a new clutch install I took the floor out chained the T-18 trans and texas 300 . then just ran the winch line over the hood around the roll bar and down to the chain . this was all in perfect aligment and even easier than a floor jack ,all of that off balance weight will crush your head , or hand. I was not impressed with the centerforce it's still hard to push in. thinking of a longer clutch fork. if I can figure out how to post a pic I will .it's a great pic of hillbilly enginiering, at it's finest.

 

here's a pic.