SO a little update.
Me and the wife spent some time on wed. pulling the motor and then we made dinner and called it quits, she is quite determined once she gets some tools in her hands.
Motor and trans came out yesterday, its been a long time since I've pulled the motor out of a DSM, but memories of a white empty engine bay came flooding back (2006/2007).
Trans fluid looked great, Engine not so good, water pipe has rusty pieces in it and the motor has a frost plug pushed half way out of it.
Plan was to throw a new oil pump and see what happens for this year as the car account is at $150 after buying tools.
Right now I have to pull the pan and front cover and go from there.
Pics up soon.
Prep for removal: