pull auto tranny with engine or not?

[pangeapiercing]

OK, so I'm a total n00b, so I hope I'm not pissing everyone off by asking n00b questions. I've looked in my Haynes and searched the web (and this site) to no avail. I'm doing an engine swap on my May '90 cab, straight M20 for M20 of almost identical age. I plan on swapping the auto transmission for a 5 speed at some point in the future, but am too time pressed right now, so I'm leaving the perfectly functioning auto in it for now. I'm having a hell of a time getting to the reverse Torx bolts on the top left of the trans-to-engine mount, and the instructions call for removing the torque converter to driveplate bolts, and I must confess I really do not know WTF that is (driveplate that is)....I haven't found any reference to anyone running into a similar situation. I have everything else unhooked, unplugged, unbolted, removed, and whatnot, and I'm wondering if it is better to drop the driveshaft and pull transmission and all. It would be a mega PITA to drop the driveshaft at the moment, because I have the trans supported with my jack, the front of the car way up on my 2 jack stands, the engine partially supported by a chain fall suspended from the roof trusses, and almost everything unbolted....and I'm working by myself and have to go back to work full time tomorrow. It's not looking like it'll be anywhere close to done by that time, but I'm calling on the power of the interwebz to help a poor piercer avoid having to rde the Shame Train (aka the bus ugh).
Thanks in advance!

[The Humjet]

The drive plate is a plate at the back of the block connecting to the bellhousing. When you take it off you'll see bolts that connect to the torque convertor to the back of the block. Iirc there are 4 bolts that hold the convertor on and you'll have to turn the motor and undo each of them one at a time.
If you have a hoist I'd try take the tranny off. But since you don't I'd try and take the tailshaft off and pull the motor and tranny in one go. Why is it your having trouble undoing the tailshaft that's usually one of the easier parts. Have you undone the exhaust, underbody hearshields and tailshaft centre bearing? Once that is off it should allow some play so you can move it a bit and give room to start undoing it.

[pangeapiercing]

I have not removed the CSB, heatshields, any of the driveshaft gear. I have removed the exhaust.
The pain of dropping the driveshaft is I already have the car supported on jack stands, tranny held up by the jack, and the engine under tension from the chainfall. I suppose since the trans is still bolted in I could lower everything back, lift the back of the car, drop the heatshield, CSB, and driveshaft. Looks like that's what's going to have to happen anyway, since I finally got to one of the PITA reverse Torx and that sumbitch wouldn't budge with the strength of a grandma trying to lift a car off a baby.
I'm also shut down for a minute since I need a 24mm wrench to undo the oil cooler lines, and as you might imagine, I have none :( I have to make a trip to the parts house anyway for new fluids and shrinkwrap. Now I wish I had my ducks in a row for the 5 speed swap, since the crap is all coming out anyway.....