Can It Be Done????
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,041
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From: Orland USA
Can It Be Done????
Can a 3.0 engine be rebuilt while still in the Van??
Also does the engine really have to be dropped through the bottom or can enough of the front be taken off to pull the engine through the top/front??
HELP!!!!!!!!
Also does the engine really have to be dropped through the bottom or can enough of the front be taken off to pull the engine through the top/front??
HELP!!!!!!!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,013
Likes: 205
From: SoCal
I don't envy your position.
The Chilton's manual describes a procedure for removing the
engine from the front through the hood. It involves removing
radiator and most of the front dress parts such as the grille and
bumper cover. Then attach some sort of load leveler to the
engine, and lift and pull out with a crane.
I've looked over the front of my van several times while reading
the description. I can see where a lot of the front parts can
indeed be removed to leave a big hole in the front, I still find it
difficult to believe that you can pull an engine through it.
I think the Hayns manual talks about dropping the front cross
member while raising the body somehow.
eugene
The Chilton's manual describes a procedure for removing the
engine from the front through the hood. It involves removing
radiator and most of the front dress parts such as the grille and
bumper cover. Then attach some sort of load leveler to the
engine, and lift and pull out with a crane.
I've looked over the front of my van several times while reading
the description. I can see where a lot of the front parts can
indeed be removed to leave a big hole in the front, I still find it
difficult to believe that you can pull an engine through it.
I think the Hayns manual talks about dropping the front cross
member while raising the body somehow.
eugene
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,041
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From: Orland USA
xlt4wd90
Is there any way you can scan me a copy of the prcedure out of the Chilton's manual?
I have a Haynes my self and it says drop it throught the bottom and lift the body.
Thanks,
Is there any way you can scan me a copy of the prcedure out of the Chilton's manual?
I have a Haynes my self and it says drop it throught the bottom and lift the body.
Thanks,
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,013
Likes: 205
From: SoCal
Hi Jay,
I checked the Chilton manual tonight, and it looks like I was wrong. According to Chilton, of the 4 engines that were installed in the Aerostar (2.3 L I-4, 2.8 L v6, 3.0 L v6, and 4.0 L v6), only the 4.0 liter v6 could be removed from the front. The instructions for all the other engines say to lift the body after disconnecting the cross member from the frame rails. That is strange, since the 4 liter is bigger than a 5 liter v8 in some dimensions.
Sorry for the confusion.
I checked the Chilton manual tonight, and it looks like I was wrong. According to Chilton, of the 4 engines that were installed in the Aerostar (2.3 L I-4, 2.8 L v6, 3.0 L v6, and 4.0 L v6), only the 4.0 liter v6 could be removed from the front. The instructions for all the other engines say to lift the body after disconnecting the cross member from the frame rails. That is strange, since the 4 liter is bigger than a 5 liter v8 in some dimensions.
Sorry for the confusion.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 71
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I believe you can remove the engine from the front if you strip it down to a "short block" first. Then follow the procedure in Chilton's. This would of course require assembling the upper end after it is in the vehicle. I looked at this extensively as I was faced with the same situation on the '93 I bought for my daughter (with a bad engine). Luckily, it was only a blown head gasket. Had to replace 1 head which cracked due to over heating. Ayway, stripping the engine to a short block makes it a lot more manageable.
New User
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Columbus Ohio
Yes it can be done
Hi I've personally removed one out the bottom (4.0) and had two intalled (4.0).
The one I pulled was for a van I was parting, thus taking it out the bottom was easy as I could cut everything.
Taking it out the front involves pulling the radiator and grill. Protect the bumber cover. You then have to remove the plenum and accessories from the front of the motor.
Either way this is a ton of work. And getting everything back in correctly is very difficult. It's a ship in a bottle.
Good luck.
John
The one I pulled was for a van I was parting, thus taking it out the bottom was easy as I could cut everything.
Taking it out the front involves pulling the radiator and grill. Protect the bumber cover. You then have to remove the plenum and accessories from the front of the motor.
Either way this is a ton of work. And getting everything back in correctly is very difficult. It's a ship in a bottle.
Good luck.
John
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Columbus Ohio
3.0 vs 4.0 removal
Hi a little disclaimer here. I have no idea if a 3.0 is any taller than the 4.0 or why removal would be different. Keep in mind my experience with the 4.0 might not apply.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: SoCal
John,
Did you actually pull a 4 Liter v6 out the front of an Aerostar? The Chilton manual says to remove the bumper cover, along with all the front parts such as the radiator, grill, hood, and that top plate that holds the hood latch. The manual also says to attach lifting ears to the front right and rear left of the engine, pull up with a crane, roll back to clear the engine compartment, then lift out. I can't imagine how to do that first pull up without hitting the cowl.
It looks like removing the heads with the engine in place is no picnic either.
Again, I don't understand why you can do this with a 4 Liter v6, and not a 2.8 Liter v6. I thought the 4 Liter is just a stretched version of the 2.8, so if anything, you should be able to do this with the smaller engine.
eugene
Did you actually pull a 4 Liter v6 out the front of an Aerostar? The Chilton manual says to remove the bumper cover, along with all the front parts such as the radiator, grill, hood, and that top plate that holds the hood latch. The manual also says to attach lifting ears to the front right and rear left of the engine, pull up with a crane, roll back to clear the engine compartment, then lift out. I can't imagine how to do that first pull up without hitting the cowl.
It looks like removing the heads with the engine in place is no picnic either.
Again, I don't understand why you can do this with a 4 Liter v6, and not a 2.8 Liter v6. I thought the 4 Liter is just a stretched version of the 2.8, so if anything, you should be able to do this with the smaller engine.
eugene