I'm a newbie to the site but this looks like the right place!

My input shaft bearing race (attached the adapter plate) was damaged on my -016 T56 (LT1)by my throw out bearing and needs replacement. This is the race on which the throw out bearing travels. Is it possible to remove the transmission adapter plate with the tranny on a bench with the input shaft facing up? The manuals show disassembly of the T56 on a bench facing down with, of course, the very last component being the adapter plate. Can the adapter plate be carfully removed upright without disassembly of the entire unit as the manual suggests?

Thanks!