2.3L ('83-'97) Motor mounts/engine removal

[blitz67]

I have a 97 2.3 5sp manual that I am trying to pull the engine and transmission that has 233k miles and swap an exact 97 2.3l 5sp with 80k miles.
I have everything ready except the transmission mount and crossmember and the motor mounts. I have tried the passenger motor mount nut and it just spins. The drivers side nut. I have tried with my impact wrench and it doesn't break loose yet. I ordered one of those induction heaters to try on the drivers side nut which hopefully works.
My question is, on the passenger side, will I have to pull the 3 bolts that hold the bracket that the motor mount is mounted in order to to the stud that the nut is on? Is there any easier way to get the engine mount loose (other than cutting bolts) so I can get the engine/transmission out?
Thanks for any ideas and help

 

[scotts90ranger]

If it were me I would just take a big junk knife or sawzall and cut the mounts in half and replace them, last time I bought them they were about $25 each but I had to change both since they both broke at the same time (was in an accident and they both broke somehow...).

Aside from that it would be the brackets on the frame side or engine side...

If you're lucky the mounts are already broken and you might be able to just pull up...

 

[Shran]

If it were me I would just take a big junk knife or sawzall and cut the mounts in half and replace them, last time I bought them they were about $25 each but I had to change both since they both broke at the same time (was in an accident and they both broke somehow...).

Aside from that it would be the brackets on the frame side or engine side...

If you're lucky the mounts are already broken and you might be able to just pull up...

That's exactly what I would do too. They're probably already broken anyway, I've seen it a lot on 4 cylinder trucks and broken a few of my own. The passenger side one is a real bugger to change.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Engine being out is the PERFECT time to change them as like Shran said it's a pain, the frame side bracket has to come off to get the bottom nut.

 

[blitz67]

Thanks for the information. I have new mounts already. I didnt realize that some reject engineer designed the mounts to be that damn difficult to replace. The driver's side is the real PIA because of all the stuff crammed in that area next to it: steering shaft, pump and ect. Guess its just going to take a BIT longer

 

[scotts90ranger]

While there's pressure on it when lifting on the engine you should be able to just cut the mounts in half with a serrated knife and WD40 for lube...

On the mounts, one side has a stud to keep it from spinning, assuming you can get the nut/stud to spin any it will either come apart or is already broken, believe me, they don't look broken until you lift the engine or have some violent event like a wreck to jar the engine off the jagged break on the mounts... mine still had the stock hydraulic mounts when they broke 3ish years ago.

Yeah, there's steering and intake manifold and stuff in the way on the drivers side... I changed mine one side at a time with a 2x4 over the engine and lifting one side at a time with a ratchet strap... I think that's what I did anyway, I've done a lot of janky things over the years