Yeah, I agree, installing the engine from the bottom is really a restoration procedure. Figure if the team had to take the engine out it would have been easiest to just pull it out from the top like normal so as to not have to mess with the suspension. Probably took 20 minutes at most with the motor plate. No way anyone is dropping the K frame in the pits at a race or even in the shop trying to make repairs for the next meet. I'd be willing to bet they even made the core support removable to facilitate that.
The two main reasons for me come from the bottom is because 1) I can with a lift and 2) header clearance. I'm not even sure it will work with larger headers though. It's worth a try since fighting with them can be a nightmare. Either way I'll be investing in some moving blankets for sure.
I looked at the brake lines yesterday. It's a little more complex to run them along the radiator support, more stuff in the way. I'm a little wary of it across the K frame though with street driving. If it was a dedicated race car then 100% it would go there. Also considered running it in the passenger compartment under the dash. Looking at thru-frame bulkhead fittings to ease the install.
It makes sense, just not used to seeing it there. There are a couple existing spots in the frame rail one could pass a line through or higher up on the fender apron. Just getting it there through the outside bulkheads is a bit of challenge though so that's the hesitation. I'll figure it out one way or another, that's what it's all about.
Always interesting to see how the race teams did stuff though, provides a lot of inspiration and ideas to copy or expand on. They (presumably) did not street drive these cars so there was little to no need to accommodate things that could be damaged during regular street driving. Not having to compromise makes things easier for sure.
I'll step out now, thanks for playing along in your thread.