transmission pull with "locked engine"

TKB4 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 21, 2016 1:52 am

I bought a CRD with a "locked up engine" at salvage price mainly because my son was struck by car causing mostly cosmetic front end damage and bent font cross member . I picked the salvage jeep because it was same color and I would not need to pain any parts just swap them. I repurchased my "totaled" jeep for $1600. It runs and drives normally but have to fix and get inspected to get salvage title.

Now, for the real problem. Another CRD my other son drives had transmission bite the dust. I hoped to remove the one in salvage jeep go ahead and upgrade torque converter to the hemi version and replace front pump if necessary and transgo kit.

I didn't know what the engine problem was so I tried to rotate engine to get flywheel trans bolts out . There was resistant to rotation but it did rotate enough to get three of the four bolts out. I got about half of last bolt into access hole and could not rotate any further. Also couldn't try to rotate all way around other direction because crank bold will loosen. tried all kinds of things to reach last bolt such as offset wrench custom bending wrench till it finally broke, access through starter hole, no luck . I then removed timing belt hoping crank could then move independently , it wouldn't . I also thought about chisel, torch, grinder, dynamite and other choice words.

question:

1. Do I have to remove head and use whatever method or force necessary to then move crank i.e. beat piston down etc ? Is this likely to then enable last bolt to be removed? I suppose could still be bent rod or valves, rockers , other.

2. If this is next step about how long does it take to remove head and are any special tools required? I am aware this is only an estimate.

3. Would it be any better to remove engine and trans in case need to remove crank ,pistons etc? I suppose I may eventually try to get this engine running or part out if not economically feasible.

Any suggestions appreciated.

geordi · **Posted:** Sun Aug 21, 2016 3:03 am

You don't need any special tools to tear the motor down, especially if it isn't rotating. I suspect it probably dropped a valve. If so, PLEASE take pictures and save the pieces for research purposes.

Where are you located?

flash7210 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 21, 2016 6:48 am

If I understand correctly, you are trying to pull the transmission off an engine that is locked up and crank wont turn. Therefore you cant get all the torque converter bolts out. Correct?

If thats the case, just unbolt the transmission and leave the torque converter attached to the flexplate. It will create a huge mess by dumping all the fluid out, but you will get the transmission off. And you have to be careful that you dont damage the trans pump and seal when you do it.

diesel_guy86 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 21, 2016 10:35 am

At best you can get to the head in 4 hours if youve done it before. Another hour or 2 and the head will be off. If you havent done it before, just figure on a full day to get head off.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Sun Aug 21, 2016 11:09 am

just pull the engine and trans together to save the trouble of unbolting it under the jeep. I pulled engine/trans/transfer case as one unit, you will need to get a fair bit of hieght for the transfer case to clear.

With it out you wont need to unbolt the torque converter, just wiggle the trans off leaving the TC on the engine. Later if you need it you can work on getting the engine to rotate.

Also......Why not install the good engine into the Jeep with the clean title? It will always be worth more than your rebuilt title CRD.

TKB4 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 21, 2016 11:38 am

I used front end body parts off salvage jeep with locked engine to repair the totaled jeep that nothing else mechanical was wrong with they were both black. Since radiator intercooler etc was removed and inside jeep not 100% sure these are reliable. Hood also bent and front right door with some body damage. Donor jeep has many upgrades including OME lift kit etc and has a regular title. BTW the "totaled" jeep only lacked a few months being 10 years old and wouldn't have had to have a salvage title at all. I think insurance adjuster wanted to total it for some reason. He even said it would cost more to fix than estimate from their recommended local body shop. He allowed for replacing washer bottle, radiator, whole wiring harness, intercooler etc that were not really needed. Body shop said about $7000 he said about $8500 I took $10600 for value and bought another CRD with 93k in excellent condition and no mods for $8500 bought back the totaled jeep for $1600 and the locked jeep and extras including rock father lift kit for $1600 so now have 2 CRDs for the value I received for one and a parts jeep that could be fixed for about $1100. I did not need the transmission when I bought the locked up jeep . I did need to replace torque converter anyway on receiver jeep had some shutter. Now I will be confident replacing torque converter on one other CRD.

I know this is all confusing even to me . I now have five CRDs including the locked up one and soon to have other four all back in good condition. Also repairing two more back windows today one on each of two jeeps with the steiger part. This will make four windows inoperable in last two years. Only Four more rear windows to go hallelujah .

TKB4 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 21, 2016 11:40 am

I have removed heads before and replaced head gaskets on gassers. I work slow and steady will allow at least 8 hours

Thanks

TKB4 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 21, 2016 12:20 pm

correction when I said donor jeep above meant receiver jeep simpler to understand as follows :

Jeep 1 locked engine black color front cap removed and in jeep possibly run without oil

Jeep 2 totaled jeep with only front end damage black color

Jeep 3 OME and many other mods excellent condition, transmission went out after repaired Jeep 1 (this is first major problem with any of my CRDs)

choice repair excellent condition jeep 3 either by new or rebuilt transmission, wait I have what should be a good transmission "free" i.e. for labor only and fluid.

Actually not free for many reasons including I will upgrade torque converter but at least get more value and jeep 3 back in business

jeeps 4 and 5 driving daily (3 kids and I have driven these jeeps about 6 years now) I can't talk my wife into one but she did drive one for almost a year till one child got license with deal she would get her mini cooper s then (most costly vehicle to maintain I have ever owned)

TKB4 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 22, 2016 12:40 am

Got both transmissions totally out today . Did leave the torque converter on the locked up engine. Replacing torque converter anyway.
Seal and front pump were not damaged. Should be ready to put one transmission with new converter back in this weekend and take another out and replace converter and reinstall in a different ced. . Put the two steigers in the windows also.

Maybe get to the locked up engine in a few months.

Thanks for the help.

TKB4 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 06, 2016 12:07 am

Update , put one transmission in last week with mopar reman Hemi torque converter and it works great and no shudder even pulling 4000 pound boat uphill at 1700 rpm barley in fourth gear about 63 mph (oversize 32 inch tires) that was last weekend. Yesterday put in reman Hemi converter bought at rock auto made by DAACO costs $118 plus $50 core charge this jeep also performs similarly to molar reman as expected but about $100 less than from MOPAR Time will tell. Will update if either one has problem. So far I would get the DAACO you also may need to sand the paint off back of the four plates that mount to flywheel I did.

transmission pull with "locked engine"

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