Removing the starter is not too hard. I made sure I documented what wire went where before disconnecting. Then it was just 2 bolts, and a few tugs on the starter (forward) to get it out.
Starter on the GM Chevy Tahoe 5.3 Vortec LS Engine
Starter wires on the GM Chevy Tahoe 5.3 Vortec LS Engine
Flexplate and FP to torque converter bolt on the GM Chevy Tahoe 5.3 Vortec LS Engine
There is a transmission cover that allows access to the flex plate. This needs to come off to grant access to the bolts that attach the flex plate to the torque converter. I did not record this process. There are some really good videos already on YouTube that document this process. I include references to the one that helped me out. Essentially, you need to turn the engine to access each bolt. In other words, turn the engine (from a socket over the crank bolt up front) and expose the first bolt. Remove it, turn the crank, remove bolt 2, and so on.
I used a little PB and let it soak in for an hour or so. Then I used a universal on an air wrench (it was floppy, so I taped it up). The universal allowed me to get the air wrench in where the starter usually goes, and access to the bolts. This is another case where torqueing the bolts turns the flex plate and would otherwise be very hard. I saw videos where other people jammed a slot head screwdriver into one of the teeth of the flex plate to keep it from turning, but I was afraid I would probably break something.
So, check out the video, and be sure to check out my other videos, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and like and comment. Thanks!
Impact wrench helped to get the flex plate to torque converter bolts off on the GM Chevy Tahoe 5.3 Vortec LS Engine
Crankshaft position sensor is accessible after starter removal on the GM 5.3 Vortec LS Engine