To check your speedo, have someone watch the speedometer while you quickly twist the cable from the transmission end. The needle should move (make sure you try it both ways!).

Order of proceeding: disconnect the battery, remove the shifter, speedo cable, driveshaft, clutch linkage, crossmember, transmission, then bellhousing.

For tools, a couple of long extensions (1 foot each) plus a universal joint should allow you to get all the bellhousing bolts. The critical issue for reassembly is to get the clutch disc perfectly centered before snugging down the pressure plate, and to pull it down evenly with the bolts by crisscrossing and only tightening each bolt a couple of turns until all the bolts are snug. Don't forget to torque them. Install the bellhousing and clutch linkage with the new throw-out bearing.

When you are inserting the transmission into the clutch be very careful to support the transmission properly and not have any weight on the clutch itself because of the input shaft. Two long threaded rods installed into the bellhousing bolt holes will help align things. Have the trans in gear and turn the output shaft to get the splines to line up. Temporarily put the driveshaft on to help with that if you need to.

If the trans goes partway in but won't go all the way, have someone press the clutch pedal while you push the transmission forward; it should slide in the rest of the way. Resist the temptation to pull the transmission into place with the bolts. You might want to test fit the bellhousing onto the transmission when they are both out to get an idea of how much is needed for them to slip together.