Engine install issue.
 

Hello guys. I have lurked here awhile gathering information for my Jeep project. For that I am grateful and thank you. I recently ran into an issue I can't find a solution for, so joined up. Hopefully I can help out here as I go along. So, I picked up a really clean 1999 Grand Cherokee 4.0 automatic for my son. Previous owner overheated it and drove it until it quit. I then found a low, low mileage 2006 4.0 from a Wrangler. I swapped out all the accessories from the 1999, installed all new sensors and installed the engine. It is in, motor mounts installed with just the bolt through, and bolts into the bellhousing but not tightened. I can't seem to close the last 1/8 inch to mate the engine and trans. I have pretty good force on the bolts, but not extreme. I don't want to force it. I don't think I missed a pilot bearing in the crank. Maybe a bushing? Maybe just tension? I am at my wits end, but at least not too far along to pull it out again. Thanks, appreciated, Dale

The torque converter isn't seated into the front pump. If you keep going, you'll break the pump. Separate the engine and trans again and rotate the torque converter until it drops back another 3/4". You should be able to spin the converter freely by hand when the engine and bellhousing are closed up. Then you can put the converter drive bolts in.

DO NOT try to put the engine in with the torque converter already bolted to the engine! You can bend or otherwise damage the trans input shaft as well as make it difficult to engage the pump.

Thanks Dave. Gonna just pull the engine back out and check everything over. I mostly wanted to make sure I didn't have an issue with the 2006 crank and 1999 transmission. Maybe the torque converter moved when I pulled the old engine and I didn't notice. Dale

Just for a curiosity check, measure the hub portion of the torque converter and the inside diameter of the crank where they meet. I've heard of times when people had to remove the pilot bearing from a standard trans engine so it would mate with the torque converter. Seeing as this is a Wrangler engine, I'm trying to cover all possibilities.

Haven't had a chance to work on the Jeep. Hoping to get to this next week. Appreciate the help so far Dave. I'll let you know how it goes. mtmuley

Hey guys, my sincere apologies for the long delay. I got busy, drew a great elk tag, we had a long winter and I got busy again. So... I pulled the engine and discovered a bushing in the crank of the 2006 engine. Not a pilot bearing, but a bushing. Stupid oversight on my part. Luckily I didn't force anything together. I have the engine mated up now. Long time coming. Again, thanks to all. Here's the offending part. mtmuley
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...8c29223b16.jpg

Thanks for the comeback! It's good to know you found the problem.