Why not remove the clutch and flywheel with the crank all in one big assembly?
The transmission pulls straight off the back
Then the oil pan comes off with the clutch cover
And you undo all the rods and mains
The crank and flywheel and clutch come out as one
Then you can focus on one piston at a time
What am I missing?
-s
You're missing having to remove the camshaft, and the timing plate, the crankshaft timing gear, etc, just to lift the front end of the crankshaft free of the main bearings. If the camshaft retainer plate bolt holes in the cam gear don't happen to be aligned with the two bolts that hold the thrust plate to the block, you'll have to break the timing gear off with a big pry bar. Then if any valve lifters happen to be rusted tight in the block, getting them lifted high enough to slip the cam out so the timing plate can be removed will be a challenge.
Other than that, nothing much!
Jerry
