Writeup on engine removal?

[woodc]

I bought a 97 pfinder with a locked up engine... Do you guys know of a writeup on engine removal for this?

Is it easiest to remove it and the automatic transmission as 1 unit or can I leave the transmission in?

Any ideas on getting to the torque converter bolts or will it just pull out of the transmission?

TIA

[screwinitupagain]

No write-up on my end (I just did it & didn't fool with pics & what not, sorry) & I don't remember if Alex did one or not, but you can leave the transmission in, in fact I imagine it would be harder if you took it out. Also how locked up is the engine, cause you will need it to be able to turn a bit to get to those bolts (mine was so locked up that I had to beat it with a rubber sledgehammer to get it to budge, plus it had chnaged colors-a bright blue).

BTW post a couple of pics when you get a chance, locked-up engine & all.

[Chuck Tribolet]

The best way to pull the motor is to drop it DOWN (that's how it went in at the factory) but that's likely not an option. Pull the radiator and everythingelse that might get in the way, and everything else that's connected. Jackthe bow up nice and high. Find the manual about where to hook the sling. Hook up the cherry picker so that it's forward of the CG of the engine/transmission.Now go slow. A couple of buddies is helpful. One on the cherry picker, youone one side of the truck, another buddy on the other. Keep your eyes open,GO SLOW, and stick your head under the truck regularly. Mostly you are looking for the hose or wire you forgot to disconnect., Swap sides with thetruck buddy a few times (it's YOUR truck) to check for stuff on the OTHER side.

And dunno about automatics (never bought one, did inherit one) but themanuals I've dealt with would drain oil out the drive shaft end. So drain thetranny oil first.

[screwinitupagain]

So drain thetranny oil first.

You don't need to (if you are not pulling the transmission). It's completelly seperate.

[nissandoms47]

uh, the best way to pull that engine out is through the top... Unless you feel like taking out the subframe, diff, driveshaft, struts, steering, steering shaft, etc, etc, etc, etc.... If its an automatic you can get that engine out in under 3 hours, if a manual around 4 hours.

[woodc]

Thanks for the replies :-) Out the top, engine only is my goal....pictures will follow....

[woodc]

I tore into this project today :-) The engine is still in...but closer to out than it was. The crank just will not turn....big ratchet and 200lbs jumping up and down on it yields nothing.

I started tearing into the engine to see if I could get down to the root of the problem.... I don't want to cross post so....look for pictures under the thread I am about to start called "why we change our oil"

[lone_domino]

uh, the best way to pull that engine out is through the top... Unless you feel like taking out the subframe, diff, driveshaft, struts, steering, steering shaft, etc, etc, etc, etc.... If its an automatic you can get that engine out in under 3 hours, if a manual around 4 hours.

Under 3 hours? I am having a hard time just finding the engine to trans bolts much less getting to them and I have done lots of engine swaps...

[woodc]

Hang in there!

I ended up having to pull the intake mainfold off which made getting at the transmission bolts easier. I also had to pull the front diff to be able to move the engine foward enough to clear the torque converter since the engine would not turn over.

Another note: I opted to use a chain attached to each of the engine mounts then lifted from there....seemed like it was a lot easier than using a strap would have been...

[lone_domino]

Got mine out, 5 hours total to remove. Now I have to swap parts from the bad engine to the "new" one and stab it back in. The hardest part was getting it out with the A/C system intact.