i agree - pulling the engine out of an old car/truck with their (generally) ample room, simple wiring harness, and lack of A/C and power steering, etc., is really not as big a job as it may seem. i would submit that would be easier on you physically than leaning into the engine compartment with a scraper then paint brush to do the job with the engine in place. Probably faster, too. A hoist or chainfall and simple tools is all you need. I recently pulled and replaced an engine in an old Mustang in a long weekend.
