[dugie6551]

I have a 1984 S10 and prefer to pull the motor and trans as one piece. I have done both (just motor and motor/trans). The "knuckle-busters" getting the trans bolts with it still in the truck is the reason I pull both at the same time.

Some advise/experience: After removing the entire front clip (fenders, bumper, rad support, etc.) the first time to remove the motor & trans. I have re-installed everything so it all can be taken apart in under an hour (with air tools and not all the bolts put back in the original spots). I have the fenders on with 4 bolts not 8 (I think), wheel wells come off attached to the fenders. I have found it much easier now to pull off the front clip then crawl under the truck and bust my knuckles.

I have the engine out of my truck now and I am able to move the truck outside while working on the motor. And I also do not have the chance of damaging anything trying to "squeeze" the motor out of the engine bay.

If you pull just the motor, put a piece of steel square stock or bar between the frame rails to support the front of trans with a couple of the bolts. This way you can move the truck out of the way if you need to.

Edit:
Another tip I just thought of: BEFORE you remove the hood bolts; take a drill bit (I used a 1/4" bit) and drill through the hinge and hood. This way when you go to re-install the hood just put the drill bit through the holes in the hinge and hood, which "lines up" the hood in the original spot. If you don't do this you will spend a lot of time trying to adjust the hood bolts to make the hood close properly.