Pulling 5.0 V8, installing replacement - what are the gotchas?

[wood_e]

Ok I'm planning out pulling the 5.0 out of my explorer - don't ask why... I may cry.

So, found a low-mile replacement at my local yard - with half the miles of my engine.

I'm trying to figure the easiest way to pull this sucker. My plan is as follows:

1) Drain fluids
2) Remove radiator (need to check for leaks)
3) Remove fan clutch assembly
4) Remove Alternator, AC compressor, PS pump
5) Disconnect wiring harness & label all connections
6) Unbolt down pipes from exhaust manifolds
7) Pull starter & unbolt trans bell housing (supporting trans w/ jack)
8) Unbolt torque converter form flex plate
9) Release motor mounts
10) Lift engine out?

I need some help filling in the gaps. I am sure I am missing something and need input from those that have done it. I have as long as I need to do this, and am borrowing a cherry picker.

Also, where can I lift this from? Can I just lift from the intake manifold?

Any advice would be great - got a quote from a mechanic - 22 hours of work!

Thanks!

 

[wood_e]

maybe this isn't the right section...?

 

[wood_e]

bump...

 

[keepinitoldskool]

i've never worked on an explorer but i have done a 5.0 on a mustang, I hope this will help you. to clear the input shaft the engine needs to go forwards or the tranny needs to go back. moving the tranny requires removing the driveshaft and tranny mount and supporting the transmission. if you can unbolt the motor mounts from the frame instead of the block then you can move the motor forward. beware of lots of atf spilling out of the converter and also the cooler lines to the radiator. On the mustang the dual sump pan made everything more complex and there was no space to get to the upper bellhousing bolts so i had to pull out the motor with the trans still attached which meant removing the shifter linkage. If you have 4wd I don't know what to tell you.

beware of any sensors mounted to the firewall. also if your vehicle uses vacuum a/c controls mark them and make sure you don't crack the plastic lines. look out for the engine ground strap. oh and rags, lots and lots of rags!!

 

[albi1cnobi1]

Whatever you do, don't lift it from the intake! Its aluminum and can't hold the weight of the engine. Remove 2 exhaust manifold bolts from each side(1 front, 1 back) and install longer bolts through your hoist chain into the holes from bolts you removed. If you remove the starter and then remove the flywheel to converter bolts, and the bell housing bolts you'll be able to remove the engine easily. To simplify the removal take off the fan/clutch and radiator. You can leave the engine harness attached to the engine, there is a single connector to unhook. As long as the 2 engines came from the same vehicle you can leave the harnesses alone. If not, it's much easier to swap them while it's out of the truck.

 

[wood_e]

very good info so far - thank you! I have been disconnecting and labeling connectors - but that seems to be a waste of time with the engine in.

The radiator and fan clutch are taken off already so sounds good so far.

 

[wood_e]

How do I access the driver side motor mount bolts easily?

 

[wood_e]

bump

 

[wood_e]

bump

 

[wood_e]

Ok never mind the engine is out!