Remove the torque converter bolts, leave the torque converter in the bell house

 

ENGINE BLOCK IS OUT!
3 torque convert bolts removed through starter arena
Engine is out and there is plenty of room for the engine to be pulled with a hoist from the top..

NOTES for others that want to go this route:
Aside from the removal of all the obvious bolts, nuts, and connectors.
Crank bolt and pulley must come off.. Belt tensioner can stay.
Air conditioning does not have to be discharged. Just disconnect and rope the pump forwardly.
Intake manifold, alternator must come off.
Yes, to removal of dipstick tube or push closely to engine and zip tie.
Yes to removal or bungee back black plastic finished trim below windshield.
FYI, dipstick tube gets hung up on front steel cross member AND snagged in hood latch.. Exaust manifold and heater core hoses gets hung up on black plastic finished trim. You can also man- handle them out of the way as you hoist.

I did consider fastsuv idea using farm jacks for bottom cradle removal, but it seemed to dangerous for my likes. It also required pallet fork lift, I dont own one. The good news, it will easily come out the top with a 1 ton hoist and I didnt even have to remove 1 tire.. I turned the wheel to access the crank bolt..

 

I've removed all 9 transmission bolts, but the motor won't separate from the transmission. Any ideas? I attempted to pry between the motor and transmission, but no budge. What am I missing?

 

There is a bracket that connects the 2.

 

Well, that certainly would be a problem. Thank you! Does the passenger side axle require removing, to remove the plate?

 

Nope

 

Thanks! Just be to be clear, the schematic is a passenger side view?

 

The arrow point toward the FRONT of the CAR. That is the front of the engine (harmonic balancer). Passenger side.

 

The arrow points towards the front, not from the front, correct? Because that certainly looks like the pulley's. Thanks. =)

 

Looks more like the torque converter to me. Same viewpoint, though.