Partial drop '72 - advice

[layzee]

In order to get my new starter in I've come to the conclusion that I'll have to perform a partial engine drop to get enough space to work. I managed to get the old one out after a lot of swearing with various combinations of tools. The car is a sporto so there just isnt enough access to the area from under the car.

This is my first drop on my own and I am just a little concerned about it going wrong!

This is what I have done so far:

1) Uncouple shifter linkage
2) Support the sump on jack/wood
3) Supported the transmission bolt plate on a jack
4) Loosened transmission bolts
5) Removed engine bolts
6) Lowered so I can just see through the front of the engine bay

Now I am a little concerned about my oil lines. Being '72 they are different and expensive. Should I detach them and drain now? I have disconnected the pipe to the oil cooler and drained that. Alternatively will dropping at the transmission mount give me sufficient room to get to the starter? The hard oil line has been off a couple of years ago so shouldn't be too bad but I need to get a 36mm wrench.

The engine seems to have moved back a bit too, the muffler is right up against the cover area.

So option

A) Buy 36mm wrench and remove all oil lines to be safe
B) Drop at transmission and hope for the best.