I've been researching and studying details related to how people remove engines and then re-install. If you don't go the standard Mazda factory process of pulling the entire power unit + frame, then most people are removing engines from the top but it requires unbolting the transmission. There's a bit of work in angling but it's doable. Instead when re-installing the transmission can be a challenge to mate and my assumption is that it depends how the shaft splines are located with respect to clutch disk (assuming it is correctly aligned in the first place). There is very little stated explicitly but the factory workshop calls for a special tool to be inserted to the rear of the transmission (drive shaft has to be removed) and from what I gather this specific SST makes it possible to rotate the main transmission shaft that little bit so that it aligns with the clutch. What most people seem to do is remove the engine mounts while suspending the engine to give it enough wiggle directions to unbolt from the transmission and in this scenario the drive shaft remains attached to the transmission and differential. That being then perhaps rotating the rear wheels by hand could be enough to the same effect as the SST. Thoughts?

 

It actually doesn't require splitting the engine and transmission. You just need to get the front of the car up high enough to allow the tail of the transmission to clear the floor as you angle the whole assembly up and out.

 

How high are we talking about? Do you have actual numbers? Would a typical engine hoist/crane also have enough reach at the top?

 

I've never had a problem if you have a clutch disc alignment tool that aligns the clutch disc in the pressure plate/flywheel in the correct place.