I am just about to pull my motor. Do I have to remove the hood? I really don't want to if I don't have to. Thanks....John.

 

I removed and installed mine with the hood on but I had to remove the harmonic balancer hub to clear the radiator support and install it with the motor in the car .I also used the TPIS Happy Hooker.
The BEST way however is to remove the hood. It's just too tight with the hood on and the harmonic balancer hub is a lot easier to install with the motor out of the car.

Dean

 

I have pulled the hood off every time I have pulled the engine out of the top of one of these cars. It only takes a couple of minutes and makes life oh-so-easy. A little tip is to mark with a Sharpie where the bolts are located before you pull the hood off to make it a breeze to align the hood when you put it back on. Combined time for removing and installing the hood should be no more than 10 minutes. Good luck.

 

I removed the hood when I pulled my engine from the top.

 

Mines off I figured it would make it alot easier. Oh both front and rear windows are out and the bumpers off the front too what a sight I was bored

 

Just take off the hood, it takes about 2-3 minutes to take it off and will save much hassle.

 

I've done it both ways and recommend removing the hood. Besides being out of the way, it allows a lot more light into the engine bay. Just throw a blanket on the roof of the car and store it on top.