Engine Removal Tips? Help, it’s stuck!

I’m in the process of removing the engine (4.0) and I can’t seem to lift it out of the engine bay.

It’s completely free of the transmission. I can lift it up a bit, but can’t seem to move it forward more than an inch or so. The flex plate is just barely clear of the bell housing.

Do the exhaust manifolds to to be removed? Do I need to do anything with the transmission?

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

(A helping hand in the Austin area would leave with multiple cases of beer)

 

All wire harness connections free? A/C line at the bottom front of engine free from the engine?

Engine mounts completely free?

Exhaust sensors unplugged from harness?

 

I think I pulled the intake and exhaust manifolds on the last one I did before removing it and it was easy, do you have the radiator and fan off ?

 

Torque converter bolts removed from flex plate?

 

Both nuts are removed from the mounts. I can lift it a few inches above the studs.

O2 sensors are unplugged.

Intake is off. Radiator and fan are out. I’m trying to lift it a bit, and then pull it forward into that empty space so I can lift it out.

Yes, all bolts are out. I have it out just enough to clear the alignment pins on the bell housing.

 

Kind of hard without seeing it first hand. If it's hanging up, it's gotta be hanging up on something. Maybe get underneath with a flashlight and really get a good look.

 

Totally understand. I was just wondering if I was overlooking something.

I still have the exhaust manifolds attached, but wasn’t sure if that’s causing the hang up. It’s hard to tell when you’re lifting it solo, what’s hanging up as it goes up.

 

Driver side exhaust manifold might, on the steering column.

Heat hoses as the back of the engine also can.

 

You pulled the a/c compressor off and unplugged the crank position sensor as well?

 

Even with the flex plate bolts removed the torque converter can still be "stuck" to the flex plate, sometimes have to pry them apart carefully.

 

AC compressor and power steering pump are off.

Good call on the crank position sensor, I’ll need to check that. Is it near the crank pulley?

 

i noticed the driver side manifold was pretty close to the firewall and steering shaft. I may just go ahead and pull it off.

I’ll double check those hoses. I removed them from the firewall since it was easier to get to.

 

This, the converter must be able to turn free you run a risk of damaging the trans pump if it isn't.

 

Thanks, I can see daylight and almost put my hand between the torque converter and flex plate.

 

It is near the crank pulley, and easily accessible with the a/c compressor removed.

 

Confirmed that the crank sensor is still plugged in (whoops, it’s hidden pretty good in there).

I’ll report back on Saturday, hopefully with a pic of an empty engine bay.

 

Keep up the good fight, Brandon. It's a learning experience.

 

I found 3 reasons it wasn’t budging

1. Crank sensor was still connected
2. O2 sensor on the rear was unplugged, but the plug needed to be disconnected from the bracket

3. The main reason: The passenger side exhaust manifold bracket was still bolted to the bell housing. I could have sworn I removed it.

TLDR- When it’s 120 degrees outside and things don’t seem to be going as they should. Walk away for a couple days and get some helpful hints from friendly folks on the internet.

 

Nice. Lol sometimes it’s the most simple things that we miss

 

Lots of good parts on there.