Block is out
 

Camshafthousing is off, head is off, oil sump is off, engine supports are off, engine cooler is off. I'm now left with just the block, the balance shafts and things like the belts and water pump, pistons and crankshaft.

Can i just cut the belts or should i make marks of how the belts are aligned (i won't be doing the belts and timing myself once the engine is back together)?

What tool is needed to remove the piston from the crankshaft and out of the block? Is this tool widely available?

Any other tips or advice while the block is out?

Thanks!

PS: One would be cleaning the block out, because quite a bit of dirt (strange stuff like hairs and so) has collected near the oil pick up.

I am assuming the engine is out of the car? It needs to be at this point.

Cut the belts....

You need to remove the oil pan to dismantle the rest of the engine. Once you get in there the rest is pretty obvious.

Protect all bearing surfaces! You do not want to score anything else, rods, crank etc.....

Yeah, the engine is out, but disconnecting the pistons for the crankshaft requires a certain tool, i'm not really sure what tool this is.

Uhmm?

All you need to do is undo the rod nuts (13 mm as I recall) remove the rod cap and the pistons slide out the top...... Carefull when you slide them out.

14mm 12-point socket for the rod cap nuts

Aha, that's it, 14mm 12-point.... now, just let me find somewhere i can buy one ;) Here in Europe carparts and hardware stores aren't that common as in the UK, especially not automotive hardware stores.