Remove Avensis Engine leaving the auto gearbox behind??

[paulcap]

I am trying to find out if it is possible to remove the engine from my T22 1.8 Auto without having to remove the gearbox too.

The potential issue is that the engine has very little space between the timing cover and the side of the engine compartment. If it was a manual gearbox then the front of the engine would hit the engine bay side long before the gearbox shaft disengages from the clutch plate. From what I can tell there is no shaft etc. protruding from the gearbox into the engine are or vice versa. It looks like, once the bolts are removed fixing the flywheel to the torque converter, the engine can be lifted straight up without having to shift the engine to the left more than a few millimeters. 

Does anyone know if I am talking rubbish?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Alan1234]

Sounds ok to me ,just use engine crane and strap and double check you have undone everything before jacking take your time .take photos and mark items so you know we're they go back . good luck