those dowels have play in them. That is also how you do a kmember shift when doing alignments. it never goes back the same. Ive done more then a few and everyone required an alignment.

my vote is only engine from the top

engine and trans I go from the bottom.

 

Out the top you don't have to drain/refill the A/C system, the brakes or mess with the suspension or steering. The radiator, cowl, A/C system including the compressor as well as the steering intermediate shaft, brakes tranny and k-member all stay in when you pull it out the top...

I have done over 20 motors from the top, and 2 from the bottom, and the only way to do it from the bottom PROPERLY is to bleed the brakes, evacuate and recharge the A/C and get an alignment. Pulling from the top you don't have to do any of that.

About the only issue doing it from the top is if you have a M6 with a Street Twin it can get tight when you drop it back in and attempt to twist the motor from sideways to front-back orientation. Other than that, no big deal at all.

Key to ease of pulling it/putting it in from the top is having a Happy Hooker motor plate that bolts to the top of the intake. Using chains makes it a LOT more difficult because of the interference with the cowl.

For a shop the bottom is the only way to go about it, as you will save a little time doing it that way, but you get to make it all up in the A/C recharge service, the brake service and the alignment... So, out the bottom is best for a shop, both in time and profitability. For an individual, with more time to spare and looking to save money and hassle in not having to do those things, working in/out from the top is a no-brainer...

 

IMO, there are advantages and disadvantages to doing both.

Point is there is no wrong way to take it out.

 

This thread went out of control quick.