That plate is there for a bar to bolt to that runs to the transmission dust cover and it helps to support the transmission and make it stronger. I would put them on the older engine block also. They will bolt right up and then you can put the bars back on .
you have to remove the glovebox, its behind that, it has 2 bolts and a "connector", should be on the left side of the blower housing.
Behind the plastic cover on the wiper motor.
You will have to remove the long bolts that go through the motor mounts and raise the engine up and support it / brace it so it don't fall and tear a hand off. Then you will have to remove the 3 bolts that hold the mount to the engine block. Now replace the freeze plug.
Locate the old motor. Remove the mounting bolts and disconnect the wires. Installation is reverse of removal.
On the motor on the drivers side behind the crossmember.
Front of the block, behind the motor mount.
3/8 bolts with standard SAE threads that are no less than one inch long. these bolts will have a 9/16 head. i recomend GRADE 8 bolts. lesser grade bolts will work but can sheer. i used 1 1/4 inch long bolts on my big block with no issues. oh and there are 6 bolts that go from bell to block
no gasket is used
under/behind the glovebox. get to it buy removing the plastic panel inside the car behind the glovebox and then remove three bolts. (5.5 mm bolts)
behind the alternator on the motor block.
There are 2 in the back of the engine block,where the fly-wheel bolts to the crankshaft.There is 2 on each side of the engine block just above where the oil pan bolts to the block. 1 of them on each side of the block is hidden behind the motor mounts and one is behind the starter and the other one you can see on drivers side of engine.There is 2 in the front of the engine,1 on each side of the timing cover. You will have to remove everything on the front of the engine to see them. That makes 8 all together.
Follow the top radiator hose, fronm the radiator, to where it ends at the motor. This housing, that has two bolts, accross from each other, holding it down, is the housing for it. Remove the two bolts, and there it is.