I've had my car 13 years. In 2002 I was faced with a gearbox problem plus a willing pair of hands (Adrian Elkin ) & the loan of an engine crane. I'd never removed an engine before. We took the engine out, delivered the gearbox to Road & Race, & refitted everything for the next w/e. It's not as difficult as it 1st appears.
In 2005 I took the engine out on my own & again the following year for another problem. If you can borrow an engine crane then the owner of the crane will often help. Better still do what I did last time & bought my own here.