pulling motor and trans

have a 74 duster ....first mopar for me ....some have said you do not need to pull the hood to take out the motor ? is this a fact or only if you taking it from the bottom with the k-frame ...also .....what's easier when coming out thu the top......take both motor and trans at once? or separate ...have a undercar scissors trans jack....front of motor is stripped to balancer...manifolds and starter off...have carb plate from race car days to pull from or will i need one of those balance bars ? .... trying to set it up so i know what i am doing for the re-install when the motor and the engine bay is all detailed ....and also adding stainless headers and mini-starter to the mix on the re-install.......thanks for any help in advance ...