I broke a flexplate ear too. You can R&R it while the motor is in the car but Its easier if you pull them both as a unit. If you decide to pull the trans while the motor is in, youll need to get the front tires on ramps or jackstands and also the rear end on jackstands. Remove the other 3 convertor bolts, then brace the motor with a scissor jack or block of wood under the pan as far back as you can get it to the trans. Remove the driveshaft at the diff but leave it in there to keep the fluid from spilling out the tailshaft. Place a floor jack under the trans pan and jack up the slack. remove the rear cross member 4 bolts and cooler lines as well as shifter linkage cable. Get some extensions and universal joints and get the rest of the trans bolts removed. lower the trans a few inches and pull the floor jack back to clear the convertor snout from the crank pilot hole. the trans should be balanced on the floor jack. the trans should lower to clear the block. Get it as far back as possible and let it sit on the floor. Now you can unbolt and replace the flexplate with a good 1/2 drive ratchet. Reverse for installation.
