I am doing that at the shop rightnow, though I doubt you have an overhead lift like I do. It really needs to come out the bottom. I have the car up on the lift, and have the lower engine cradle unbolted right now. I will be lowering the engine cradle and removin the engine mount on the right front corner to gain access and replace the compressor in the morning. That is the easiest way. I suppose , you could clear everything, and I mean everything in the way, and bring it out the top, but it will be very difficult, because there is just not much room between the engine and the radiator support. They build these cars from the bottom up, at the factory, so most repairs like this require you work on them from the bottom up.
In all FORD transmissions in FORD TAURUS, MURCURY SABLE, and LINCOLN models from around 1997 to around 2004, the transmissions were "shredding" the gears, so the transmissions basicly were no good. That's what happend to you, It will cost around $1500-$3000, depending on where you take it to be replaced or repaired.
NO
you take it out
Take it to a repair shop.
take the axle out
In a 1997 Ford F-150 and a 1997 Ford Expedition : The 4.6 and 5.4 liter V8 engines take : With engne oil filter change : ( 6.0 quarts / 5.7 liters of engine oil )
If your 1997 Ford Taurus won't go into reverse, there may be a problem with your transmission. You can try checking your levels, but you need to take it to a mechanic.
Only to replace it with a new one
take radio out and look to left of radio
6 quarts ( 5.7 liters ) with engine oil filter change - for the V6 and V8 engines in the 1997 Ford F-150
Take it to a licensed mechanic.
Squeeze in on the sides and snap it out.