Engine removal

2003 FORD EXPLORER
208,264 MILES • 4.0L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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ARIANADANIELLE5345
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What can I set my engine down on after I lift it out so that i don't scratch the oil pan? I don't have an engine stand.
Apr 15, 2021 at 5:57 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good afternoon,

You can buy an engine stand for about $60.00. It will make it much easier to work on.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-engine-stand-69886.html?_br_psugg_q=engine+stand

Otherwise, I would get some old tires and stack them up and set it in the tires.

Roy

Apr 15, 2021 at 12:10 PM
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ARIANADANIELLE5345
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Okay I bought a stand. Everything is off except the mounts and the torque converter bolts. How do I turn the flywheel to access the bolts?
Apr 20, 2021 at 8:52 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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You need to turn the crankshaft with the bolt on the harmonic balancer. Turn it until each nut shows and remove the nuts. There are 4 of them to release the torque converter.

Roy
Apr 20, 2021 at 1:21 PM
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ARIANADANIELLE5345
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My harmonic balancer is sitting on my kitchen table. I had to take it off to take my timing cover off to fix the chain guide only to find out it's the rear chain guide.
Apr 20, 2021 at 1:24 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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You can reinstall the bolt to the crankshaft that holds the balancer on. Then turn the engine.

Roy
Apr 20, 2021 at 1:37 PM
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ARIANADANIELLE5345
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I got them out but now the hoist does not reach from the front. Can i pull it from the side?
Apr 20, 2021 at 6:44 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Yes, you can but most engine hoists have the ability to extend the legs and the boom to reach further into the engine compartment.

Roy
Apr 21, 2021 at 3:04 AM
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ARIANADANIELLE5345
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This is my first time doing this and i have been doing it alone so i'm sorry for all the questions, but where is the best place to bolt the leveler chains? And how many spots do i need to bolt them to because in the back of the engine? i can only find one bolt hole that isn't part of the bellhousing and that is big enough to house the appropriate diameter I need for the bolt.
Apr 22, 2021 at 7:41 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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No worries about the questions. That is why we are here.

One in the front and one in the rear is fine. Look for a bolt hole on the front cylinder head opposite from the rear. If your bolt hole is on the driver's head then find one in the front on the passenger's head.

Roy
Apr 23, 2021 at 2:24 AM