Does anyone know if there are alignment pins on the transmission bell housing and the engine block? I have removed all the bolts, the starter, the transmission support bracket and when when I lower the support jack on the rear of the transmission it does not separate from the engine. Any thoughts or suggestions would be most appreciated.

This isn't a case of the trans input shaft being frozen in the pilot bearing, is it? I had that happen once in an old 144 and my mechanic friend had a heck of a time getting the trans separated from the engine.

That's quite possible. I can't even get the thing to budge at all. I'll try soaking it with PB Blaster.

Thanks for the tip. I'll let you know how this goes.

I've found ratchet straps to be useful in pulling things apart/together.
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1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb, M46 trans, 3:31 dif, in Brampton, Ont.

Thanks for the tip. I'll give that a try.

wow- never heard the term ratchet straps. have taken out many manual transmissions, not only with the bell housing attached but off the bell housing and separating the trans, then accessing the clutch through the dust cover on the bottom of some of the bell housings, but not on the volvo 240 where you have to take it off with the bell attached. in any event by ratchet straps do you mean wrapping the strap around the trans and then rotating it with a ratchet to separate the unit? like an oil filter strap and ratchet to remove an oil filter in a difficult to access place? thanks tons oldduke ...learn something new every day.

"in any event by ratchet straps do you mean wrapping the strap around the trans and then rotating it with a ratchet to separate the unit?"

No. Hook one end onto the transmission somewhere. Hook the other end onto a solid part on the rear of the car and rachet. With the constant pull of the strap you can concentrate on levering/shaking/rotating/swearing the tranny loose.

With the installation of the tranny, you can hook the tranny through the shifter hole up onto a rod across the seats and rachet the rear end up while you maneuver the front into place. It still takes effort but you aren't lifting the whole weight of the tranny at the same time.
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1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb, M46 trans, 3:31 dif, in Brampton, Ont.

the transmission with bellhousing attached CAN NOT be rotated whatsover until the unit is pulled rearward sufficiently to clear the aligning dowels.

the dowels are perhaps 3/8" high

there is a bolt high up on the bell housing very hard to see which requires long extensions to reach.

if you are absolutely certain you have all the bolts out get a pry bar and place it between the block and bellhousing on the bottom edge of the bellhousing and pry the transmission backward.

there ought to be 2 alignment dowel pins one on each side which can stick

Thank you very much for the information. I suspected as this might be a problem.