Hoisting a 94 4.0 OHV

[The_Epsicle]

I pulled motor and trans together, and cut the rad support, so this may not work for you. I didn't care about from the cat back so I used a reciprocating saw and cut to the motor side of the cat, between the flange and the cat.

I'm just pulling the motor, cutting the exhaust is out of the question. I'd be open to cutting the bolts or drilling them out, but I don't think I have enough clearance. I already disconnected the tranny, could I disconnect the motor mounts and lift the engine a little bit to cut them easier? The passenger side would be a piece of cake to cut (I took out the HVAC box thing), the drivers side is a different story.

 

[don4331]

Epsicle:

My #1 recommendation for someone about to pull engine - take it to muffler shop and have them loosen the bolts - they have tools and expertise...

But that doesn't help you now. Solution #2 is PB Blaster - you've been there done that.

Solution #3: Apply candle wax to the bolt threads in manifold; then heat bolt with torch. Wax will 'wick' down into threads.

Solution #3b: Heat the manifold with a torch.

Solution #4: Remove manifolds from engine, then manifolds will drop allowing you to insert Grade 5* bolts back to pull engine. If engine isn't being returned to truck, a couple busted bolts won't hurt anything**; even if it is, they can be dealt with easier outside the truck than in engine compartment.

*You want to use lower strength bolts with you can see bending and take action against; rather than higher strength which would fail catastrophically...

**I used to lift Ford FE engines via the 4-1/4" bolts for the carb (carb plate). A 4.0 doesn't weight 1/2 of that...

 

[The_Epsicle]

Thanks, don. I'll certainly go with option #1 in the future. I wanted to apply heat but I don't have a torch (my brother "borrowed" [stole] a lot of my tools). I haven't heard of using candle wax, but it makes sense so I'll give it a shot when I get a new torch tomorrow. I threw out my back so today and yesterday were days off.

 

[The_Epsicle]

I tried with heat today, all I could get was a plumbers torch and all I managed to do was bend an extension on my socket wrench. I'll try the candlewax tomorrow and if the bolt doesn't come out I have to cut my losses and reassemble the vehicle. I need it to drive to my school in 12 days, this is looking like it's going to be my first failed project.

 

[The_Epsicle]

Also, how many bellhousing bolts should there be? I think I lost one to the god of the engine bay void, I have 8.

 

[ford4thot]

Also, how many bellhousing bolts should there be? I think I lost one to the god of the engine bay void, I have 8.

8
Edit....8 on the 5 speed....im.not sure on the auto

 

[The_Epsicle]

I tried again for a couple of hours today and I can't get that bolt off with the tools I have and I've run out of time. I'm returning the parts I ordered and I'm going to start reassembling the vehicle. Thanks for the help guys, the knowledge I have gained with this failure will be useful when I try this again in the future.

 

[tbunch]

When I pulled mine I looped chain twice around the exhaust manifolds and balanced it with a ratchet strap so it didn't lean into anything, worked just fine. I had already pulled the upper intake so I didn't care to put it back on for a lift point.