Need Advice on Pulling Engine

[haubest]

My truck is a 1997 Ford Explorer XLT 5.0L 2wd EFI.
I need to put in a new oil pump and new bearings.
I need some advice on connecting the chain to pull the engine. I've had the engine out before and I bolted the hoist chain to the block itself. This time I would prefer not to remove the heads because of the expense of the gaskets and new bolts (special twist-to-torque bolts required). Does anyone think it would be ok to bolt the hoist chain to the heads where the bolts for the lower intake manifold would be attached? Hope his makes sense. Or, if anyone knows of a way I can get to the oil pump without removing the engine completely leaving it attached to the transmission, I would appreciate your input.

Thanks for your help.

 

[boominXplorer]

No the intake manifold bolts are small and weak. Use a chain from a front accessory bracket bolt hole to the back of the opposite side cylinder head. There are 3 threaded holes in the back of the heads to attach a chain too.

For junkyard removal I use a seat belt and go exhaust manifold to exhaust manifold

 

[The_Phoenix]

same with above theres threaded holes on firewall side of engine just make sure you are threaded in the head far enough, dont use accessory bolt there weak and will bend under load of engine

 

[Turdle]

2WD really helps here.

If you can get the steering rack out, you can drop the pan. It has to move to the rear to drop, there is a hump in the pan which catches on the pickup.Drop the pan low enough to remove the pickup nut and bolts, drop this into the pan and then the pan will come the rest of the way down.

I once did this , replacing the oil pump was kind PITA, I had to have someone hold the pan just so while I replaced the pump , gasket and pickup. It is possible. You might have to loosen the motor mount nuts to the top of the bolt, and lift the motor a tad for a little more room.

The new fel pro gasket kit has some plastic guides which will hold the gasket in place while you install the pan. It will also hole the pan up so you can get some bolts started