Why can't you do it from the top like doing a timing belt on turbo dodge? I would think undoing the two bolts that hold the whole mount to the frame would be easier for someone like me with an engine hoist.

It can't be done from the top because the serpentine belt loops around the engine mount. It IS necessary to remove the sleeved bolt. It is NOT necessary to support the engine as the enginer mount is mounted by several other bolts and the engine does not sag when the tension on the sleeved bolt is removed.

I just did this last Saturday.

Sounds like a fun time. .

It's not bad. Just the one 5" long bolt that goes through the mount has to be removed. It's actually quite easy. Like mentioned, the majority of the work is removing the splash shield.

Now that I see the picture, I understand. I'll give it a go this weekend.

The engine does not need to be supported
If your going to try and tell me it does, come to my house and i'll show you. :D

I'd come, but it's a fair bit out of my way home from work.

So how's the splash shield come off?

I changed my belt on a 95 SSEi and thanked the engineers for the good design.

I've heard about the 96+ NA's and I shake my head

Then I looked at the 97 Donor car SC and really shook my head. Do you need to support the 96+ SC's to do the belt or is it basically same as NA's?