Projects Drilling Pistons To Unlock Engine?

Not all hole saw are made equal,
& thats why you use hole-saw close to bore size if you want to clear Pin ,
Or little smaller to cut right behind ring's .
More ways to get pistons out ,

 

Any advice on how to wiggle and separate the converter with the engine? I don't wish to harm the transmission.

 

Just take the starter off, the lower cover off then the 6 bellhousing bolts, the engine will pull away from the trans with the converter. Thats when the mess happens. Reach in between the flywheel and block plate to remove the 4 bolts. Be carefull with the 4 converter bolts they round off easy. Try to use a box end wrench.

 

flatrods right about the converter bolts rounding off easily,using a 6point box end will ensure the bolts won't strip.

 

If the heads are off, take an oxy/acetylene torch and heat the piston/ring in the cylinder where they meet the cyl wall. Don't melt the cyl wall but get it kinda red. Be sure you have drained the oil out of the pan and removed it . Probably best to do it outside. The heat will destroy the rust. Maybe try just using a welding torch first as you can pin point the heat better than with a cutting torch. Wear googles too.

 

Just pull the entire thing. You don't need to turn the crank to get to all of the converter nuts. Use the proper tools or fab a tool to slide up to the converter nuts.

 

I would disconnect the transmission cooler lines and let them drain into a pan overnight before separating, to lessen the spillage.

 

That won’t drain the converter, assuming the OP is taking the engine out by itself with the converter attached.

 

Most of the oil on the floor will be out of the converter. The cooling lines wont empty this.The trailer ball cover mentioned before to cover the converter snout would help stop oil spill.