Dodge RAM Engine Removal
by Dan Ferrell
Removing the engine from your Dodge Ram for repair or replacement is a difficult and major undertaking. You will need to prepare, organize and, preferably, work with someone with experience tto minimize any potential problems. Also, you need to approach this phase of Dodge vehicle repair in a way that will allow you to reinstall the engine with the minimum amount of effort. Start by selecting the right location and necessary tools. Make a plan and start working on your engine.
Preparing the Engine for Removal
Before parking your Dodge Ram for engine removal, take it to an approved facility and have the air conditioning refrigerant discharged. Back at your garage, prepare the engine for removal. Start by making alignment marks between the hood hinges and the hood for reference. This will allow you to reinstall the hood in the same exact position. Then remove the hood. Depressurize the fuel system and drain the engine oil and coolant from the radiator and engine. Make room around the engine by removing drive belts and serpentine belt and accessories like the air cleaner assembly, alternator, cooling fan and shroud, starter, spark plug wires and transmission oil cooler (if your particular Ram model is equipped with it). When removing the power steering pump and A/C compressor, you may be able to move them aside and secure them away from the engine using heavy wire without the need to disconnect the hoses. When you are ready, disconnect the radiator and heater hoses and remove the radiator form the engine compartment. Before you disconnect and unplug vacuum lines and electrical sensors, tag each component with masking tape to make it easy to identify and connect during the reinstallation process. If your Ram model is equipped with a manual transmission, remove the shift lever now and disconnect the throttle linkage. Then detach and plug the fuel lines to prevent contamination of the fuel system. At this point, the engine should have enough room around for removal. Now you need to disconnect it from its major components. Detach the exhaust pipe at the exhaust manifold, and unscrew the transmission-to-engine mounting bolts. If your Dodge model is equipped with an automatic transmission, remove the inspection plate and attach a C-clamp on the bottom of the transmission torque converter to prevent it from falling off as you separate the transmission form the engine. Draw aligning marks on the torque converter and drive plate so that you can reassemble them in the same exact position. Then unfasten the torque converter from the drive plate. Finally, disconnect the driveshaft and rear engine support.
Removing the Engine
Using a transmission jack, secure and detach the transmission from the engine. With the engine almost ready for removal, place a floor jack under the rear of the engine and lift it up about 2 inches (51mm) and remove the clutch or drive plate and flywheel. Now, hook a boom hoist to the engine lifting lugs or hooks using heavy-duty chain, bolts, nuts and washers. Leave just enough slack between the chain and the engine so as not to damage any engine components once you apply tension to the chain. Raise the engine hoist until the chain is tight and the engine starts to lift to release the weight off of the engine mounts. Now remove all the engine mounts and insulators. Walk around the engine and any missing connections between the engine and the engine compartment. Slowly, begin to lift the engine out of the engine compartment and place it on a suitable engine stand.
References
- Dodge Full-Size Pickups, 1994-2001 (Haynes Manuals); John Haynes and Mike Stubblefield; 2001
Writer Bio
Since 2003 Dan Ferrell has contributed general and consumer-oriented news to television and the Web. His work has appeared in Texas, New Mexico and Miami and on various websites. Ferrell is a certified automation and control technician from the Advanced Technology Center in El Paso, Texas.
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