1998 chevrolet silverado 1500 5.7
truck is sitting on ground at stock height with no jack stands or anything
looks like there may be some room with engine stripped down to block, to remove the bellhousing transmission bolts and use hoist to pull engine separate unless transmission has pins
has anyone done this before
found a crack in one of the bores

 

Have done it many times, my suggestion would be get it up on stands and start by pulling the starter then remove the bolts holding the torque converter to the flywheel. It is best to leave the converter with the trans in the truck, pulling the converter with the engine may cause damage to the converter and will make a mess. Once you have that unbolted remove all of the transmission bolts, the uppers are usually easily removed using a 24" extension. You can lower the truck back down now and using blocks or whatever you have support the front of the transmission. You should now be ready to pull the block out and install your replacement, I usually try to install at least one transmission bolt before lifting it back up to finish bolting it all back together.