Lessons learned - elephant ears

(I searched on this topic but got a server error)

I wondered if anyone has any tips or lessons learned about pulling an engine/trans that's on elephant ears?

My current plan is to stick a piece of wood between the center link and oil pan, drop the transmission with the engine sitting on the wood/centerlink. I will be alone so it will be coming out in two pieces. The ears look like they're bowed backward so I don't think I'm the first person to do that on this car.



Then, only one side of the frame is notched for clearance, so I might have to pull the water pump to get it out. Before I take any engine mounting points loose, I will hang it from the cherry picker with as little pre-load on the chain as possible. I don't want things pulling apart, but I also need to hold onto it while I'm bolting it after the trans is out or it might tip back and crash the firewall.

I'm mostly unsure if taking the water pump off is the right way to go or not.

Photo of the side that's not notched.


Photo of the notched side.


It might be the thing will just come right up out of there if I jog it to one side until it's above the frame.

I'm grateful for any tips and/or advice :thumbsup: