Typically, if you don't have a lift, it's much easier to pull engine and transmission together rather than to get the tranny off separately.

I'd disconnect the cable at the engine end if you don't think you can get it loose on the tranny -- it's like a Chevy, undo the clamp and unhook from the lever or valve inside.

The only way to remove the upper bolts if you cannot reach them from above is to allow the tranny to hang down while jacking the front of the engine up. Do this with all the rest of the tranny bolts in, please, you DON"T want it to fall on you.... You will need some LONG extensions and probably a swivel. Vastly easier to get them out than back in, too -- I believe this is why they were missing from my brother's 75 300D.

Factory recommends removing engine and transmission together.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!