When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Most simply remove "everything" in front of the motor body-wise. Raising the body would maybe be easier but it requires a lift which translates into a well-equipped shop with plenty of room to roll the chassis out from under the fully supported body.
From the grill back to the motor most components in the way of pulling the motor straight out of the frame need to be removed. In the end this is almost as much work as raising the body but its more easily accomplished by someone with simple hand tools.
I'm still thinking the head alone can be removed from the engine---because its the same 2 valve motor it might not be as complicated or impossible as some think.
Pure speculation though---never done this but have had quotes for leaking oil passages in the heads that required their removal.
It must be a real pain to remove, I got a quote from ford for a new long block and it included $200 cash back if you purchased the motor and installed it yourself. The parts guy at ford was really trying to persuade me to do it myself, which is what I planned on anyway. They book the job at 27 hours.
I considered replacing a high mileage 5.4 in my 2000 E250 and fortunately I know a lot of great shops and/or mechanics willing to work off-the-books relatively cheaply. Along with the long block and about $800 labor I still budgeted about $4500 for those parts and unforeseen things that always come up.
DIY isn't really all that complicated, just a ton of parts to remove before the engine slides out the front. It also requires an engine crane which can be rented in most cities.