I only said I'd be tempted--not that I'd do it. Curiosity killed the cat, after all.Paul,
I know you mean well, but trying to do a peek-in diagnosis at this time is probably a wasted effort
Dropping the trans does line up with the out-the-bottom option for engine removal, doesn't it? I may be misremembering. If that was the selected option, it's not much wasted effort. It's the difference between pulling the oil pan or not. The pan zips off quite quickly with power tools. If the chosen engine removal method doesn't require dropping the trans, then it's a huge amount of wasted effort, and definitely not worth giving in to temptation.