You dont have to lift the engine. A half inch wrench does fit the 2 front bolts with ease. You would have to unhook the inner tie rods from the center link tho. It is a very easy job. The pan comes right out. Auto tranny lines get in the way on some. Your pan a hemi/6pk pan or 402? Also, are you sure it's the pan and not the oil sending unit, the intake gasket at the valley end, the dowel plugs in back of the block, cam seal plug, or the rear main seal?