I have a nice large heated garage to work in and a good selection of tools. Used a lift on wheels that I borrowed from a buddy of mine. Engine lifted out easily without removing the hood. It really wasn't that difficult, just time and patience a few minor scrapes and scratches. I was surprised how easily it went back in, especially mating the engine and trans. Just hope all the effort was worth it. Being retired does have its benefits.
Diesellady:
I don't feel that area is easily accessible by just removing the trans. Need room to see, clean, inspect, and grind a bit to prep for the JB Weld. So much easier with the engine out. It took me about 25 work hours to do the head gasket a couple of weeks ago. Much less time to pull the engine...but I've become very familiar with removing a lot of the same stuff.
My wife has a minor mishap with the CRD the day before I started the job...someone cut sharply if front of her then stopped. She bumped him pretty hard. When she got home all I noticed was the hood wasn't closed tightly and had to adjust the latch downward. When taking the front end apart, the steel framing behind the bumper was pushed in about 2". The electric fan just slightly bent the A/C condenser. Pulled that back to shape this morning after getting the engine in and running. Hooked a chain around a power pole in the driveway, connected to the trailer hitch. Put a chain around the part that needed to be pulled and hooked to my 1943 Farmall H tractor. A few short tugs and all was well.
