When I did my in chassis rebuild several months ago, I jacked up the engine and supported it with a suitable car stand on the crank pully. then I could drop the X-member and take off the sump and take the bottom end apart.

[ I had the engine jacked up enough, so tha the gear box bell housing was up against the transmission tunnel padded by ragging.] There was no sideways movement of the engine.

Another option is to use a suitable engine hoist to support the weight of the engine without actually removing the engine.

cheers
Benny