Engine install with AW4 - which way is easier

[Grreatdog]

I have never done an engine swap with an automatic transmission. Ever. I am a manual transmission guy. But this is my wife's old Cherokee getting the new engine. So I don't know whether it is better to install the engine with the torque converter bolted to the flexplate or with the torque converter installed on the transmission output shaft.

Looking at the beast I would think the latter. I assume it won't be really easy to bolt the torque converter on to the flex plate through the inspection plate that way. But that still looks easier than trying to get everything aligned with the torque converter bolted to the flex plate during installation.

Also, I am doing this alone so I can live with having to work through the inspection plate easier than I can live with having to twist the engine while hanging from a shop crane.

 

[Shorty]

I've never seen anything good come from trying to attach the torque converter first. It's boarderline impossible to get the front pump meshed with the converter and damage usually results.

install the converter and try to keep the flexplate and converter aligned as best you can. Once everything else is bolted up, it you've got it right, you should still have more than enough room to turn/align things.

 

[wolfpackjeeper]

installed to the tranny. Bolt everything up then just turn the crank till the first bolt holes on the flexplate align. After that it is cake

 

[joe_peters]

NEVER TRY TO INSTALL AN ENGINE WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER BOLTED TO THE FLEXPLATE. PERIOD.

If you don't properly seat the torque converter on the transmission so the torque converter engages the front pump, you will damage the torque converter OR the pump.

 

[kastein]

Or if you really get lucky, BOTH!

Xwhatever, stick it into the transmission THEN bolt to the flex plate.

 

[bcmaxx]

Tranny first you can do damage to pump and seal, or youll get it bolted up and the convertor and engine will not turn over

 

[bcmaxx]

Or if you really get lucky, BOTH!

Xwhatever, stick it into the transmission THEN bolt to the flex plate.

Are you really at almost 9000 posts in less than a year??

 

[JJacobs]

Option number 1 isn't an option, it's a guaranteed fail.

Frankly I'm at a loss how anybody could look at all the different sets of splines in the front of a transmission and think it COULD be simply bolted straight up. Not happening!

 

[XJ4MEPLZ]

When installing the torque converter on the transmission you need to spin it and push it back, you should feel it drop back 3 times. To make sure you have it all the way back place a straight edge across the bell housing, the converter should not be touching.

When you are installing the tranny to the engine don't force it together with bolts , it should just slide together.

Once the engine and tranny are mated you can pull the torque converter forward to the flex plate and line up the bolt holes. You can turn the engine with a large screw driver on the flex plate in the starter hole.

 

[Grreatdog]

Thanks for confirming what looked obvious to me. I haven't done this since I dropped a V8 in my CJ5. And that was a four speed. I am keeping my fingers crossed about my Crazy Ray's Pull & Pay $200 junkyard special. But even if it is only marginal at least I have the original motor to start rebuilding. Wish me luck. It might all end up back together this weekend.