The bolts are splined, and I searched online and found the sockets are readily available, I have just never before encountered fasteners like that.
Why remove the shifter? That’s the sort of thing that puzzles me. I’m basically trying to understand the difference involved in separating the engine and transmission on a manual as opposed to automatic. Automatics are simple enough,remove the torque converter bolts and bell housing bolts, but is it that simple with a manual? I don’t want to damage any linkage or splines,etc.