Happy to report that mission is complete and successful. Along with the new trans and damper plate I replaced the old sound dampening insulation in the engine compartment with 1" thick insulation. Engine noise / vibration seems to be about 50 % less with just a bit of lazarette cover rattle over 3000 RPM. (final in water alignment to come). Three hour trip from the yard to my mooring was smooth and uneventful.
Here's a rundown on what I did.
I hung a chain hoist from the forward most point of the companion way and lifted the engine off of the mounts. This allowed me to swing the engine out of the compartment and lower it onto a furniture dolly and block it in place with 2 x 4 blocks.
Using a chain hoist gives you really precise control of the lifting process and I was easily able to get the engine in and out of the compartment by my self.
Once the engine was out and turned sideways in the galley the bell housing was easily removed exposing the damper plate on the flywheel.
Old damper compared with new. Zoom in on the old one and you can see the wear on the teeth.
New transmission bolted to bellhousing.
New sound deadening insulation installed and everything back in it's place.
All in all this went smoother than I expected. Once the engine was out the bell housing trans, and damper plate came apart and went back together with out a hitch.
The project snowballed a bit for installation of the Bolo modification (see above) and repair of the coolant filler neck overflow tube that I broke off during removal of the engine. A big PITA and a post for another day.
Total cost was just under $2100.