Pulling an Engine 1st time?

[XXLMJ]

I am starting to pull an engine out of a 89 XJ for my 88 MJ. This is the first time i have done this and was wanting some pointers. I am no expert,but i do know how to wrench. I just sure like anything else there are some tricks of the trade that i haven't learned yet.

Once i get the motor out i was going to freshen it up a bit before reinstalling it. And then i still have to make a decision to make on the trans.

Oh by the way the motor is a Renix 4.0 5speed 4x4. Thanks!

[Pete M]

got a digital camera? take pictures. of everything. every bolt, fastener, electrical connection. They don't have to be high resolution pics, but make sure they are in focus. Become familiar with the "macro" setting. It'll help immensely if you get stuck on something with the later installation. :thumbsup:

[pingpong]

To me the easiest way to do it is the way Mjeff87 on here helped me do the swap of engine and trans in my 90. Basically we pulled the whole drivetrain as one item. It was a bit of work disconnecting everything, but you are going to have to do it anyways to do it right.

 

1. Un bolt header panel.

2. Drain radiator and remove, unbolt battery and remove.

3. disconnect t-case linkage, cross member. and driveshafts

4. remove powersteering hoses.

5. remove ground wires from body.

6. Disconnect wiring from power distrubution center

7.Unbolt motor mounts.

8.hook up chains to the block.

9.Jack motor up.

10. As you jack the motor up, you start pushing vehicle back watching for hang ups.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am sure I am forgetting a few steps. Jeff derrick and I did this swap in 6 hrs and had a running jeep when done. Jeff was the brains behind it though. As he did the swap on his rig.

[XXLMJ]

Wow did you pull the motor, trans, and t-case all at once? If that works, that looks alot easier than layin under it and unbolting that transmission. The XJ I'm pulling it from has front end damage already so i went ahead and pulled everything off that was left. And i started soaking stuff in PB blaster.

[mjeff87]

yes, if you have a large enough hoist (and a load balancer helps, too) pull the whole driveline as one unit. The 4.0 is a bit heavier than ^^^ 2.5 setup, and it is alot more heavier in the rear, but it's doable. Here's the driveline going into my MJ, which I could have attached the chains a bit better on, but it slid right in (with one person underneath guiding the rear of the transfer case):

 

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The biggest hangup is guiding the oil filter past the frame horn on the passenger side while clearing the bellhousing at the top of the tranny tunnel. You may want to remove the MAP sensor from the firewall to avoid crushing it (right Pat?). Also, either drain the TC or else cap the end with a plastic bottle or an old yoke so you don't loose all the fluid out of it.

 

Jeff

 

edit: you could pull the TC off first, it's only 6 bolts.....that would help balance the rest of the driveline a bit better (but then drain the tranny or else plug up the output with rags or something or you'll have gear oil all over yourself and everything else. yummy.

[pingpong]

Yeah removing the Map sensor might be a good idea... it can hold up the removal of an engine.

 

 

I know when we did my 2.5 swap we did it all as one piece. Made it real easy to do.

[Oizarod115]

if you're going to remove the engine-transmission all in one piece the key to doing it easily is removing the transfer case from the transmission on the 4.0. this helps with the balance because thats 80lbs from the rear gone.

only 6 nuts and usually can be done with a wrench EASILY from underneath.

[mfpdm]

Also, either drain the TC or else cap the end with a plastic bottle or an old yoke so you don't loose all the fluid out of it.

 

Jeff

 

edit: you could pull the TC off first, it's only 6 bolts.....that would help balance the rest of the driveline a bit better (but then drain the tranny or else plug up the output with rags or something or you'll have gear oil all over yourself and everything else. yummy.

 

Learned that one the hard way. :doh:

 

 

Also after fighting the engine tranny and tcase out of the donor, I agree with dropping the tcase then pulling or when putting it back in.

 

:cheers:

[dunl]

When ready, hoist and look, hoist and look. Easy to snag a wire or something you forgot the first time. :D

[XXLMJ]

Thanks for all the help! Lots of good Info, It took some of you guys 6 hrs to do this, I think i will be luck to get it done in 6 days! But all is good as long as it gets done.

[dunl]

Take as much time as you feel to do it comfortably....you only get to pull your first engine once. ;)

 

after that they're all easy. :)

[XXLMJ]

I have done plenty of motorcycles, ATVs, and Snowmobiles, But a truck is a first. Plus I'm working on it before i head in to work afternoons at 2, so time is limited right now. And on top of that its hunting season!