It's best to remove the transmission from below, by raising the vehicle and dropping the subframe, so you don't have to remove the engine first. You'll first need to use a support beam to keep the engine supported while and after removing the transmission.
The transmission vent on a 2001 Ford Taurus is found on the engine. It is on the driver's side of the engine.
In a 2001 Ford Taurus : The transaxle ( the transmission in a front wheel drive vehicle ) is located in the engine compartment bolted to the engine
1996 Taurus never equipped w/ 4 wheel drive
On a 2001 Ford Taurus : The automatic transmission fluid dipstick ( fill tube ) is between the engine air intake tube and the engine compartment firewall
It will fit in the same year Taurus and Sable, nothing else.
On a 1997 Ford Taurus : The transaxle ( transmission for a front wheel drive vehicle ) is located in the engine compartment bolted to the engine
As far as I know , the Ford Taurus has always had some form of V6 engine Unless you had a Taurus SHO , some years had a small V8 engine
depends on what needs to done, the transaxle is the transmission
The 1997 Ford Taurus has for motor mounts and to transmission mounts. Worn motor mounts and transmission mounts will allow the engine and transmission to have movement.
Near the firewall , between the engine and transmission ( transaxle )
remove engine....move...replace engine
Rear end of the engine - front end of the transmission