an I remove the oil pan in Northstar engine???
 

I have removed my northstar from my 1997 STS in order to repair the headbolts. With the engine out I started thinking that I should try to renew the oil pan seal. My question is "can I remove the pan without removing the exhaust cross over pie that runs under the pan near the back of the pan. My thought is that if I lifted the front of the engine away from the frame I may be able to move the pan forward and then drop it down and out. Has anyone had this experiance and can comment on the task??