I always lift the motors, not tilt them. Take a block of wood by the front crank pulley at jack it up. Once its lifted, you can rock it left and right, just watch it does not slip off.
Becareful where your hands are, the motor can and does slip off sometimes. Guess thats why they say to put a block of wood under the oil pan. I never have done that, well maybe for putting in headers, thats a good idea. Just be aware the motor still could come down--hate for you to get your hand crushed.
Its happened before.