Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) engine removal

[DThibault]

I have to pull my engine from the truck with a 6 speed. The manual says to pull the transmission first. Has anyone successfully pulled the engine and replaced it while leaving the six speed in the truck or is it just easier to do it the way the manual says?

 

[HBarlow]

I haven't but the NV-5600 weighs around 350 lbs. Something to consider.

 

[jclark5810]

My $0. 02... I would just do it the way the manual says. To me, looking under the hood, you would have to completely remove the entire "nose" of the truck to have enough room to pull straight out. If you tried to go "up and out", the angle would have to be so severe to get it out, it seems it would be way too much work. See if you can rent or borrow a transmission jack and disassemble the transmision. Like Harvey mentioned, that sucker is HEAVY and AWKWARD unless attached to a jack. It's actually DANGEROUS to be under there taking it off without a jack. I'd just follow the manual and take your time.

 

[GAmes]

You have to remove all the stuff in front of the engine to pull it. No way it will come out with the rad, front support, etc, etc still installed. If you remove the A/C compressor from the mount, then the four bolts from the condensor, you can fold it forward without evacuating the system. I've done it three times with success. Leaving the transmission hooked up can be done, but it requires unbolting the cab and lifting it off the frame. I have never done it that way, but a guy I met who parts Dodges out does it all the time. Of course, he doesn't have to worry about the wiring and all to work again.

 

[DMather]

do it like the manual says.
The engine is a beast in size and weight! I can't imagine maneuvering it with the transmission attached.
Dropping the transmission is actually very easy if you have a transmission jack.

 

[GAmes]

Dropping the transmission is actually very easy if you have a transmission jack.

Yup, but wrestling it back in can be difficult:-laf



I bought one of these Torin Roll Under Transmission Jack — 1000-Lb. Capacity | Jacks | Northern Tool + Equipment The only down side is you can not roll the trans out from under the truck or back with normal size jack stands under the frame. To get it out I stuck the boom of my engine hoist into the cab and picked the trans off the jack using rope, removed the jack, put the trans on the floor and slid it out. To put it back on the jack I reversed the process.

 

[DMather]

The only down side is you can not roll the trans out from under the truck or back with normal size jack stands under the frame. .

Yeah, I forgot about that because I put the front wheels on the drive on lift so I can raise and lower the front of the truck. Raise it up, slide the transmission on the lift under the truck, lower the front down to minimize the angle of inserting the input shaft into the clutch. Slides in real easy.

 

[DThibault]

Well, here it is months later and progress is being made. I took the engine out while leaving the six speed in the truck. I just loosened the transmission mounts a little so I could jack it up a little to give me a better angle to get the oil pan over the front axle. Anyway the cam was junk and the journal scored but I have a good machinist in the next town and he bored that journal for a stock bushing and I got a new cam from Hamilton (can't wait to see what that does), new piston rings and bearings, a new South Bend clutch and the engine is back in the truck. I can't believe that Cummins does not have bushings in all the bores. My machinist has fixed three of these blocks in the last two years. I had never heard of that failure before. Its going to take me all day today to figure out where all the wires go. Its been almost five months and I can't remember yesterday anymore. If I can hide in the shop over part of the next few rainy days I should hear it run by the weekend.

 

[JR]

Ive actually got a few friends with 1st gen trucks who have pulled their engines to replace the clutch in their manual trans. If you had access to a lift, dropping the trans would probably be quicker and easier. But they dont so for them it was easier to pull the enging rather thaen working from underneath with limited space. The older 12 valves were also much easier to work with since they are mostly a mechanical engine (no harnesses to worry about)

 

[Partyat33]

I have done it. You need to remove the 4 engine mounting bolts on each side. Its a pain. It's somewhat difficult to slide it far enough forward to get it off the shaft. Also, its is a real bear getting back in to make sure the trans is all lined up. You can do it though.

Dennis

 

[Dieseldemon]

The only one that I had problems with leaving the trans in the truck was the 3rd gen 6spd would not go far enough forward to clear the input shaft