My friend has a 1998 Jeep Cherokee, Me and three of my friends had too take out the old engine because it had blown up, we are too the point now where we are trying too reinstall a different motor, however for the last two nights we have had no luck, from what we see and have done there is almost no room for error,

The main problem is we can not seem too line up the torque converter, and get it past the platforms the motor mounts mount too, we really need any help we can get, we have tried SOOOO many things, the flywheel gets caught on the bell housing or the torque converter when we try too get the motor mounts in place and we tried focusing on the motor mounts first but then the flywheel gets caught before we can line up the torque converter and the do well pins,

It almost seems as if we need too pull the trans too get the engine back on the motor mounts and then put the trans on the engine?

is there a certain way we need too go in?

is there a certain angle we need too Jack the trans up at?

any tips you have will be much appreciated, we have tried for a total of probably 12-14 hours now, so this engine has gone in and out about 30 times and we’re too the point too where we feel we are missing a vital step or angle or something of the sort,

Thankyou for your time guys lol

 

Take the motor mounts off. Don't have them on the block or the vehicle.

Loosen or remove the transmission mounting bolts so the transmission can pivot as needed. Keep it supported with a jack so it can be moved up or down.

Once you get the engine mated to the trans you can put the mounts on the frame or the block one at a time making sure to leave the hardware loose so you have wiggle room to get everything lined up.

I hope this helps

 

Just to confirm, you have the torque converter preinstalled in the transmission, rotated until it's fully seated? I agree on removing the motor mounts and having the jack setup so you can raise or lower the front of the trans. I also use a couple of short bolts with the heads cutoff and slotted for a screwdriver, threaded into the block as alignment pins. Pulling the radiator gives you a lot more room to work too.

Good luck, be patient, and safe!

 

As lawsoncl posted above.
You can remove the radiator and then rotate the condenser to the left (when facing the XJ from the front) and get a lot of clearance. I was able to do it and save the AC charge until the Schrader valve failed after I had my replacement engine installed and running. I also removed the engine mounts and was able to get the engine back in working by myself. Good luck, patience is the key and watch your fingers!

 

Hey Brotha. What yr jeep did the mtr come from. Some yrs will not fit other yrs. The differences are not big but, they are enuff to cause a significant problem. In this case, potentionally needing a complete different mtr.