It's like 6 bolts on top and two on the front for the throttle cables, one on the side for the heater pipes, and maybe two grounds on the back and the upper intake comes off.

It's way easier than trying to work around it.

Personally, I'd get the metal gasket for $10 at rovahfarm, and the throttle heater plate if you've never had to replace it. Some people just reuse the metal gasket.

 

I ordered the two Coil Packs and the gasket from Rovers North so I'm good to go. I looked at the shop manual again and thought I'd rather take off the upper IM to start with rather than get part way though and still have to take it off. I hope I can get it at least part way in the garage. It'll be snowing according to the forecast.

I re-read the spark plug wire thread last night. I found it a bit unusual that there was emphasis on the shock hazard since there would be no power to the coil packs unless there's a big capacitor stuck in there that could unload on you.