Okay, have a question - I need to replace the oil pan gasket on my 78 Bobcat wagon, 2.3l auto. Is there a way I can do it without having to pull the engine? I was hoping I could just raise it a few inches with a cherry picker or hoist without having to remove the engine to get around that pesky lower crossmember - anyone tried a method like that?

Done it before , you have to drop the rack by thanking the long bolts out , pull it forward a tad around a inch and a half , leave the steering shaft hooked up , toe in both wheels , after you put the car on some good Jack stands , remove the starter , then remove the long left and right motor mount bolts , jack up the engine untel the mounts are around two inches above the mount , then put back in the long motor mount bolts , lower the engine , the bolt will rest on top of the body mount pad , remove the Jack and unbolt the pan , make sure you drain the pan or you will be the first to find out you didn't,  with the pan removed check the oil pump pick up for trash, or being bent ,  if your pan is bent most of the time the pickup is too, it takes about two hours to do the job , but that was with a lift at the ford dealer I worked for , around three on your back with no air tools , good luck