New Member And Already Need Help

There does not appear to be a consensus on what is best, partially due to what apparatus you have available. Try Googling remove engine 1996 Mustang and you will get a multitude of possibilities.

IMO the reason you won't find a consensus on this is that it DEPENDS. It depends upon your set up and available tools. It' also depends upon how much help you have and how much risk that you are willing to take.

For example. Do you have a full car lift? Will you have help? Do you have a load leveler? Do you have a high capacity engine crane? Will you want a "roller" when done?

In my case I would take the engine out and leave the transmission. Why? Because:

• I frequently have to work by myself.
• I have a medium capacity engine crane and I would be concerned about the ability of my crane to lift the engine and transmission combination HIGH enough to clear the radiator core support.
• My load leveler is a cheap Harbor Freight version. Also would be concerned about it's ability to support and level the size and weight of a motor and transmission combination.

IMO to remove the engine and transmission as a unit you should have:

• A first class load leveler. Will need to adjust a very heavy and long combination as it comes out to prevent damage as it's removed.
• A high capacity engine crane with high lifting capacity when the boom is fully extended. Don't just look at the crane's lifting capacity but note the capacity when the boom is extended. All will be able to lift enough when the boom is short. Few will be able to do it with the boom extended.
• The correct engine lifting special purpose tools to keep from damaging the valve covers and other parts.
• One or Two "buddies" helping.

The people that promote removing the engine/transmission together usually have heavy duty tools and good help.

Rent the right cherry picker for the job, high lift, overcapacity, long or short reach etc be safe. It boils down to if you would rather remove more stuff to remove it as a unit or fight the tranny to engine removal/reassemble. I prefer to do it as a unit unless I am in a big hurry and I don't have much help, it is much easier to service the engine and tranny with it out ie dropping pan changing filter/ATF, general inspection, especially rear seal. I also check out the driveshaft and do the u-joints if necessary, my cars always have lots of miles and I hate being stranded for normal maintenance crap. I might be a little OCD with my cars though.