you could pull the heat shield off with some vise grips or channel lock pliers, then try to twist the boot off with the pliers as well, do a good twist to break it free before pulling. and ditch the heat shields, they dont help out much, as you can see.
pulling the engine forward does add a few inches that are well used, there was now way i was getting to any of my back plugs with out moving the engine, but thats me.
wearing gloves helps in the getting cut up part too, been there i know what you are talking about, i have large hands and am always bleeding.
when i bought my car first thing i did was a tune up, cyl's 4 and 6 had different plugs all together, my guess is the last guy quit after doing 4 plugs.
