I've always wondered if it was any easier dropping the diff instead of the tank to pull the shaft back for the trans removal.
Probably personal preference, but I prefer not messing with the tank. Lowering the differential is substantially easier to me but on the Blue Flame it is still a pain with the full dual exhaust and pinion bracing.
Then there's the long tube headers.
Thankfully, they will allow the transmission to clear but... the O2 sensors have to be removed and one has decided not to budge. I may need to break out the blue wrench. Then there's the starter removal which has all but been impossible. (It's still not out. I got called to dinner half way through the removal of the top bolt.) And we won't even mention the transmission dipstick tube access... or more appropriately, 'lack of access' with the headers.
Geesh, I can't wait to try to get to those two top bolts on the transmission.