[merc81]

This is really not a big deal at all. The engine will rock freely back and forth once you disconnect the engine mount screws on top. For extra motion, loosen or remove the two lower engine mount screws under the engine (under the flywheel).

The entire engine/transmission will roll back and forth so there is the issue of the wheels needing to turn if you have it in park. Block the rear wheels & /or use the parking brake and leave it in neutral to avoid this problem.

There is way more room than you need if your are pulling the lower intake manifold. You will need to remove the alternator and power steering pump, then the coil pack back there, and once those items are out of the way, king kong could fit his arm in to get at the spark plugs.

I wouldn't put the van on ramps. What I do is remove the engine mounts entirely from the frame over the radiator, then put a rug scrap over it to soften the floor so to speak and lay my belly on the frame where the hood mount used to be. You will not be in there as much as you would if the heads were coming out so don't worry about the back strain.

John