Removing it from the bracket is simple enough but now you are faced with pulling the motor with the low side hose going across the valve cover, into the firewall and still having an A/C compressor mounted to it. Certainly I am not saying that it can't be done, but it sure sounds like the hard way to me. The compressor is going to be anchored by the lines which go in opposite directions. I think I would just bite the bullet and leave the engine in and work around it. Do plan on taking the trans off the back of the motor before you pull it or are you going to try to pull it as an assembly, complicating matters even more. If you are going to pull the trans out first, well then that is the hardest part right there. Once you have the trans out and on the ground the oil pan just became even easier. I have always had a shop and ALL of the tools at my disposal so what you are proposing seems pretty far out to me, but again it would not suprise me if it could be done.

Rule 308