was someone talking about removing the engine from out the bottom

who was it here who posted pics of removing the engine from out of the bottom of the van ? what all was involved ? I have access to a lift and was wondering if that was easier than pulling it out the top over the doghouse ?

I think that there is some pics of members installing their engines in this thread.
https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t25936-installing-a-new-engine?highlight=Engine+swap

thanx for that link, hope your feeling better ! when removing from bottom.....does the tranny need to come out first ? I am getting an engine from a 63 Nova.....will i need to change the oil pan and pick up tube ?

The problem with the early nova engines is they have the sump and also the dipstick in the center/front of the engine. You can change out the pan and the oil pump pickup, but your dipstick will not fit with the rear sump pan. The block has a boss cast in for the rear dipstick, so if you have the pan off, you will need to drill the boss for the dipstick tube and relocate the dipstick to the rear of the block... and yes, you also need to change the pan and pickup to the rear sump style.

I had a van with the nova engine and the previous owner modified the crossmember to clear the nova's center sump pan by cutting the center out of the crossmember and then adding a plate of 1/4" steel on the bottom joining the two sides.

If you have access to a lift, you can remove the engine out the bottom of the van.

You will need a transmission type jack with a cradle that will cradle the engine and transmission securely... There is a picture of this type of engine removal in the factory shop manual supplement.

Out the bottom is the way they did it at the factory.

I have found it to be not too difficult to simply swap the engine in and out through the side doors with a cherry picker. I have done plenty of engine swaps this way, so I think its pretty easy through the doors too.