Pulling Durango Engine Advice

[Sam69sat]

Bought a 5.9 magnum last weekend from a rolled 2000 Durango SLT 4x4. I figured i could pull the transmission inspection easy enough to get the flex plate disconnected from the torque converter but it wasn't as easy as i thought. Looking at a few videos, it looks like the bottom starter stud goes through the inspection cover. I'm hoping i can just remove the stud and the inspection cover will come out. But there's also bracket that attaches the front diff to the bellhousing and it looks like the inspection cover is wedged between that too. Anyone know if removing the starter stud will be enough to get it out or do i have to remove the damn bracket too? And one more thing. The little clips on the bolts where the exhaust pipes connect to the exhaust manifolds. Well, the clips don't hold the bolt and it just spins. Any good way to get those clips off so i can put a wrench on them? Thanks

 

[Kern Dog]

Wherever possible, just CUT whatever fasteners are in the way. Angle grinders, sawzall, torch, whatever you can find.
I suggest pulling the engine and trans as a unit. You could cut the exhaust pipes just downstream of the manifolds, then remove the rest once the engine is out.
I've pulled several engines from Junkyards and a few from RVs. The goal was to get the engine out, not to save the stuff you'd never need or want.