The obvious choice with a Hemi is in/out from bottom.
I have replaced my small block several times from the top. But never from the bottom. Yet...
My take on the debate is one man job v/s man with help.
If you have help out the top is an acceptable option.
But as all my motor swaps have included only me taking it out from the top is very difficult. Hood is heavy as sin. Try that by yourself. Lifting motor and trans together starts easier but then try to move hoist, tilt engine and trans combo, push wires out if way, pry exhaust over, beat on motor mounts so they release, see all around, obove and under to confirm nothing is binding, contain fluid now draining out of engine and rear of trans. Don't forget during all this you are still trying to protect your body and paint while sacrificing your own body, digits and some blood. Only to find that when all the bits have cleared you find out there is too much length on your chain and hoist cannot lift it high enough to clear core support. Ya gotta set it all back down and sinch up the chain. Now repeat...
Now reassembly in reverse. Oops now chain is too short and you have to lift it out again to add slack. After the 2nd time use a floor jack to lift car up to engine...
YEP BEEN THERE LOL.
Motor alone come with its own issues like getting Trans separated and the same goes for reassembly getting things properly aligned takes many up, down and under trips.
My next one will (again alone) be from the bottom.
Many options to lift and support car safely. Hood stays on.
This way allows for better and more complete reassembly out of car.
My
Mike
