1997 4.0 Auto AW-4
I have my Engine ready to pull except the two top Trans bolts.
The look like a 10mm Star pattern, what excatly are they and what size ?
Also what is the best way to get to them for removal ?

 

A long extension a wobble and inverted torx I believe its a 12 or 13.

 

I have found it much easier to just lower the trany enough to get them out,then put trany back on the crass member with a jack stand holding up the front of the trany,or else lots of exstensions,universal,and a friend for moral support,lol
you asked what they are for,they are the top bellhousing bolts,do not forget to unplug your cps.

 

im pretty sure its a 12 those bolts are a real pita

 

Mine was a 10mm inverted torx. I kept letting the back of the transmission down until I could use 3' of extensions. Just like the other poster said. Didn't need a wobble adapter that way either.
Mike

Oh and my local Sears had a set of the sockets...

 

Just changed my motor 2 weeks ago. 96 cherokee with 4.0 auto.Had same problem with mine. Mine was a 3/8 12 point I had to use and worked great with a pipe on it . I hooked up a cherry picker and pulled the motor mount bolts out , dropped the engine down about 3 inches . that was it . Worked nicely. Good luck. I used a 12 point boxend wrench.

 

Looks like I'll have to do the same with the motor mounts.
The passenger side bolt is Stripped
I'm hoping I can get enouugh room to hit it with a dremel to cut the head off. Otherwise I'll have to pull the trans with the motor

 

The bolt is stripped good, not enough room to get anything in there to cut the head of the Bolt off.
Looks like I will have to pull the with the Trans attached

 

Pull off your intake manifold and that will clear up a lot of room.

 

Pull the intake manifold off that will give you alot of room. Thats what I did.

 

I had the same thing I had to pull 2 motors and couldnt get them out. Like everyone is saying remove your intake and exhaust. I use a long extention and a knuckle. I found out that by pulling off my oil filter and the peice it screws on to off you can slide the mount bolt out and unbolt the rest of your mount with no problem. Its just a couple more minuyes but will save you a headache. Hope it helps any.

 

Well I finally got them out.
Dremel Saves the day
I went to sears and bought the reverse Torx sockets, all they did aws strip them out.
So out came the Dremel and cut the head off the Bolt, Engine is now ready to come out.
I'm going to have my Engine rebuilt

 

Sweet. its always a good feeling when its out. Are you rebuilding it?

 

I'm having my local Engine Machinest rebuild it.

 

bumping this from the dead now, I'm looking to pull my 99 XJ motor and being i'm more familiar with smaller import motors I was wondering besides disconnecting the obvious hoses and whatnot, what's the best way to remove those 3 converter bolts and should the tranny be dropped or pulled with the motor?

Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks