[68gtoMN]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

I always prefer to pull the engine without trans myself. It's really not that hard to get to the mating bolts when the trans is left in the car.
If you do separate them before pulling, remember that you will need to support the front end of the tranny the entire time the engine is out of the car. The trans isn't that heavy (compared to the engine). You can suspend it from the upper cowl with a couple of coat hangers, nylon cord or what have you.
As Kurt says, it's not that difficult. Take some time to visually inspect and study the engine compartment. Look for every single thing that's going to stay with the car when the engine is pulled....then make sure they are disconnected from the engine before pulling.
The only other thing is to make sure you are going to have clearance. That is, remove the hood, radiator, distributor....You know, the stuff that may get broken when that 700 pound engine starts swinging around.
As for lift points, the Pontiac engine has one 'lift ring' cast into the rear drivers side of the block. On the front passenger side, there is a bolt-on ring on the water pump.

Good call Greg - I spaced that out. Located at rear of engine block, behind valley pan ridge, close to distributor. This is essentially a hole cast into the upper portion of the block through which to attach the "hook" or chain.