I am debating pulling the engine to replace a broken crank.The engine is a 318 with A/c,Fuel Injection,P/S and Power Brakes with only 130K miles.I really like this Van but not sure if I want to tackle it or not. What is the best way to remove the engine? Thanks Guys!

I just gutted my 99 2500 due to rusty frame by the steering box...and everywhere else.
Front end has to come off, including the bumper, grille etc...Best to pull the intake off as well to get access for the cherry picker to lift...
Typical wiring and connections after that, exhaust etc..

I don't know about the 96,
but with the older ones,
it is just as described above,
or you can get them out the passenger door.
Either way,
you need to basically get it down to the long block to pull it.

As bad as I hate to pull the 318 I like my old van and have decided to fix it. I have several 360s and am thinking about doing an upgrade. Will the fuel injection off of the 318 work alright on a 360 engine also thinking about going with an OD trans while I am at it.Will the OD trans bolt to the existing trans cross member?

The 318 injection should work fine on the 360,the actual injectors are the same.The tune is most likely different between the two as far as the computer is concerned though,so probably not optimal.If you add a 4-speed overdrive trans that is electronically controlled (RE designated trans vs RH for non computer controlled) you will need to change the computer as well.

Yea we would pull the pass door on the older ones and pull the eng out that way. It may work ok on the 96 but I dont remember for sure. Ron