Removing Transmission, Need advice and help..., Never pulled one before... Options

[montoya 73 2.0]

I know the steps:

- take off 4 bolts tranny to engine
- unhook 2 tranny mounts in the back
- take off 2 axels
- take off shift linkage
- remove muffler/muffler hanger
- remove starter and wire to reverse switch
- remove speedo cable
- remove clutch cable
- disconnect tranny ground strap

(EDIT: Not necessarliy in correct order)

But whats the best way to remove without damaging:

Shift linkage (remove the Spam Can without damaging the clamp), speedo cable & clutch cable?

A few pictures of what I'm dealing with...



"Spam Can"

[Dr Evil]

4 bolts tranny to engine are LAST, unless you want to injure yourself.

-You need to put a jack under the engine/tranny
-Remove the axles, cables, starter wires, etc (you should already have the battery detached by now)
-Remove the 4 bolts and nuts that hold the rear mounts to the body
-Lower the rear part of the drive train
- Place a cinder block with wood on top of it under the square boss at the back of the engine
- Place the jack under the tranny
- Remove the 4 bolts/nuts for the tranny to the engine (remove starter)
- Carefully move the tranny back from the engine

It weighs 70-80# so you can man handle it.