Good Morning,  I know the process. I did mine myself as well. Close to your age too. Maybe not in the detail you did, but the tyranny cross member was a pain! I was ignorant enough to finish it, and start on a couple more for the Love of the body style. Still doing a 75'. Being patient and enjoying the time. Never give up! I have no other vices. 

I was under the impression that the removable crossmember was only in the automatic transmission cars. 

I removed and replaced a friend's '66 427 roadster in about a day each way. It would have probably been a little quicker if we had pulled the transmission along with the engine. It was a real bear putting it back in and getting it lined up with the clutch and throw-out bearing.

Using a leveler attachment along with the hoist makes it a lot easier. It's probably mandatory if you're going to do the engine and transmission together because you have to almost stand it on end to get it in. 

Forgot to update finished last Wednesday then Thursday timing putting the hood back on but the transmission and non removable crossmember was no fun on ground by yourself, had wife press clutch pedal then slid right in so all in all 3 days 

The radiator alone is quite a chore to get it in and out without damage. You have to pull it and the shroud together. make sure to remove the lower piece of the shroud. The biggest obstacle is the upper control arms... 

   Now if it needs upper control arm  bushings, do it now and the radiator at the same time. It will save you time, aggravation and your grandkids won't learn any new words. 

   Yes... One thing leads to another....Let the fun begin....

My '75 has a one-piece radiator shroud -- I could never get it out by itself.  I pulled the core-support with the radiator and shroud together, which seemed to be the easiest way. (In one year I pulled the engine 5 times, so I have some experience. . .).

I changed to an electric fan that is in its own shroud, so getting it out is no longer an issue.