Jim,

I can confirm that a Syncro tranny can be removed while leaving the engine
in.
I watched while this was done on my 86 Syncro last summer when the tranny
was rebuilt.  I then transported the tranny from my regular mechanic to the
tranny rebuild specialist, and back again after it was finished.

Since the work itself was done by my mechanic, I unfortunately do not have
any helpful hints on how to solve your current problem.  Hopefully, another
Listee will be able to provide specifics on how to pull the tranny.

As you probably know, be sure that your rebuild uses the various updated
parts, so that the original tranny weaknesses will not return.

Good luck!

Budd Premack
86 Syncro, 73 Super
Minneapolis, MN (Land of Sky-Blue Waters)