what are some of the tips and tricks to getting this thing out. like the 3rd starter bolt that is on top. how many bell housing bolts are there. what are the hardest parts and how do i do them.
First the starter. Getting to the top bolt is not difficult at all. Remove the H-pipe first. total of 8 bolts or nuts, two at each exhause manifold, two on each rear exhaust flange connection. Don't forget O2 connectors or you can rip a wire off an O2 sensor and get to buy another one.
Once you have that off, with the car on ramps, get underneath with your head about even with the starter, your feet pointing to the rear. Use a 1/4" ratchet with an extension just long enough to reach the bolt head and clear the end of the starter. You can now use your left hand to touch the top bolt head, and use your right hand to put the ratchet in the correct area. Use your left hand to guide the socket onto the bolt and out it comes. You can even see the bolt head if you have your head located in the right place, but it is not easy to see and get your left hand up there. It takes about 30 seconds to get it out this way. It goes in the same way and is just as easy.
Are you going to pull just the engine? If so you will want to pull the tranny out the bottom. Two bolts on top, three on the left side, two on the starter side, and two on the bottom thru the steel dust shield. After you remove the linkage and the rear support, it will come right out. Best way to get the top to bolts is to remove everything else first, including the shifter and rear support/mount. WIth a jack under the transmission, lower it some and by laying under the car and looking up over the tranny from the rear you can see the two bolt heads you need to remove. I use long extensions to reach them with a u-joint on the socket end...
Getting the motor out is straightforward once you disconnect and mark everything. Once you get the lift hooked up, and remove the engine mounts, raise it a couple of inches and then check to make sure you didn't miss a wire or hose somewhere.
I would remove both as an assembly. From reading your post (asking about tranny bolts) I assumed you wanted to remove them as two separate pieces. Either way works. You can't leave it in the car however, and remove the motor. You would find it impossible to mate the motor/tranny together with the tranny still mounted in the car, plus you have to support the front of the tranny with the motor removed...
Much easier to take them out togather. So much easier that when I change a clutch I just pull the engine. Only takes 3 hours and I don't have to wrestle the damn tranny or fight for bolts.
IT IS JUST AS EASY ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, IF YOU PLAN ON KEEPING IT, AFTER REMOVING THE MOUNT BOLTS LIFT ON THE TRANS WITH A JACK AS HIGH AS IT WILL GO, THIS WILL HELP YOU GET A GOOD ANGLE TO REMOVE THE ENGINE AND ALSO HELP YOU MATE THE TWO BACK TOGETHER. TOO BAD YOU DONT HAVE A RACK, I READ HOW ALL THESE GUYS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THESE SWAPS WHEN TRUTH IS THE CROSSMEMBR MOTOR AND TRANS WILL DROP OUT THE BOTTOMN IN LESS THAN 1 HOUR. ALSO MAKE SURE TO UNBOLT THE A/C COMPRESSOR AND DONT TAKE ANY LINES OFF JUST LEAVE THE COMPRESSOR IN THE CAR THIS WILL SAVE YOU SOME BUCKS BY NOT HAVING TO EVACUATE AND RECHARGE THE SYSTEM.