[rsavage]

You will need help with the hood removal as it is heavy. Removing the grill gains you nothing as the core /radiator support is still there. You need a level smooh surface so the cherry picker will roll on it, a cherry picker, a leveler (best), or a carb lifting plate (ok) or factory lifting tabs and a chain (least desireable). You should have a good floor jack and jack stands. Jack the truck up enough to slide in and out underneath it comfortably but not so high that you run out of lift height on the cherry picker. Put it on jack stands - you will need the floor jack to support the trans. Use a piece of plywood between the floor jack and the trans pan but pull the inspection cover and remove the torque converter bolts from the flex plate first so the jack isn't in your way. If you pull the front tires/wheels off, you gain some room to more easily remove stuff - exhaust etc. Since it is an auto, I would leave the trans in the truck and just pull the engine by itself. Unhook the battery first. Remove carb and fuel line to pump but plug the line coming from the tank to the pump at the pump end so your tank doesn't empy itself. Take the exhaust off, drain and pull the radiator for extra clearnce, remove the trans cooling lines from the radiator and cap them. You can remove the fan, pulleys, and accessories off the motor to give yourself more front clearance. If you have power steering, you can remove the pump and brackets and tie them off in the engine compartment out of the way so you don't have to remove the lines. Remove engine and alternator wiring. Label which starter solenoid terminals go on which terminal. I usually remove the starter just so it doesn't get hung up on the crossmember. Remove ground strap on rear of engine to firewall. Remove oil pressure line from rear of engine block if you have gauges. Check and doulble check that there is nothing left hooked to the engine. Have your Cherry picker hooked up with slight lift pressure, trans supported underneath, remove trans to block bolts, remove enging mount bolts and slowly lift engine an pull it forward slightly and up. You should have fender robes on fenders and something on the core support to protect paint. If you have never pulled and reinstalled an engine yourself you should see if a buddy can help you out some simply for a safety factor. Once the engine is out, you can change over brackets, mounts etc. to new motor before reinstalling it. Does your new engine come with the distributor in it? If not, it's a lot easier to put it in when it is on the ground. Good luck and work safely.