90', 2.3, 4X2, 5 speed tranny removal

[Turbroke]

I'm certain I'm stating the obvious here, but this is THE toughest tranny I have ever unbolted, and I've done many. The engineers at Ford obviously didn't plan for the bell housing to be unbolted from the block EVER. (I'm swapping in a 2.3 turbo motor, and read advice stating to remove block/tranny together...didn't listen, but know why now.) Is there something I'm missing??? What do you guys do when you have to replace a clutch??? Holy crap!!!

 

[scotts90ranger]

Get yourself a 13mm ratcheting wrench, you can reach all bolts from the bottom, but the top two are easier from the top if you get your arm in the right place... It's not that bad... if you think that's bad, try the Geo Tracker I did a couple weeks ago... Or changing the serpentine belt on a Ford Focus... If the ratcheting wrench doesn't work for you, get yourself about 3' of extensions with a wobbly socket at the end and do it from lower, that's what my friend that's a tranny mechanic does. I think I've had my engine out 3 or 4 times, once I pulled the engine to install a clutch because I didn't want to lift the tranny up .

 

[AllanD]

I never regarded the 2.3 engine to M5OD-R1 in a Ranger as all that tough...

Yeah several of the bolts go in from the front making them a PITA to access.


Want real fun? try changing out the alternator on a 1997-up Taurus, it cannot be accessed from the top and there's no clearance from the bottom either... I discovered
the hard way that the sub-frame must be partially removed to R&R the alternator.

This is honestly one of the ugliest jobs I've ever had to do...

Where I've had problems is getting he starter off of a 2.3 in a Ranger when the guy who worked on it before me didn't coat those bolts with Never-seeze and or had even slightly rounded the bolt heads.

When working on a 2.3 Starter I recommend helicoiling the threaded holes and using a generous application of nickel or copper never-seeze,

There's not much you can do about a frozen bolt, but when you've got it out there are all kinds of things you can do to save you from insanity NEXT TIME.

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[adsm08]

I can think of lots of things harder to do that take the trans out of a 2.3 Ranger. Like take the trans out of a V6 Ranger. Or a V8 anything. Or a FWD anything.

 

[Turbroke]

I suppose it's not all that bad. I had trouble with the two, top bolts; they were pretty buggered up from the last guy who replaced this tranny and frozen up pretty good. It went back in much easier, and I have a way better understanding now of how to get these suckers out. Thanks guys. Yeah Geo Trackers are lots of fun too. Rebuilt a 5 speed last summer on one of those.