It might have crossed your mind that making this exterior engine bay is more work than installing an engine and having to remove it again, should something go wrong.

Yes, this is true. This is quite a bit more work. However, this is fun, whereas installing, uninstalling, reinstalling, etc., an engine is not fun at all.

The next step in this project is to cut the frame down to allow the engine hoist to slide over it. Since the engine needs to scoot back nearly a foot (to make room for the radiator), I also have to consider what I'm going to do about the transmission. I've considered building a tail section that'll keep the tranny in the air, but I have to keep the tail piece off the ground nearest the rest of the frame... otherwise, the engine hoist still won't fit.

Soon, I'm going to buy some cheap gauges so I can actually see what my engine is doing while on the frame. I'll build up a little instrument panel with toggles and switches and the such, since that'll make it look a little more clever.