1997 TJ 4 cylinder engine swap help

[Liam]

So I got a "runs when parked" tj that is mostly stripped out for an engine swap because I blew my engine a ways back.
I almost have my old engine out but I cant get to the upper transmission connecting bolts. Only those two bolts and the engine mounts are still in.
Questions:
How do I get the top two trasmission bolts out?
The old block has a hole in it but the rest of the parts are fine which should I mix and match?
Is the starter connected to the engine and if so where?
Has anybody done a straight swap and have any insight?

Thanks
Liam

 

[Tjoutlaw]

I looked at the started on my 02 tj 2.5l and it looks like theres two bolts under the starter that hold it to the engine and once bolt to the tranny sideways. As far as the top two transmissions bolts can you get a wrench on them or is it too tight?

 

[David01se]

I swapped a 2.5 for 2.5 about 8 months ago. I remember removing the starter prior to seperating the engine and transmission. There isn't much room to get at the top two transmission bolts. I had the transmission on a jack and lowered it just enough to provide more room to get at the bolts. Even the you will need a couple of long extensions.

 

[Tjoutlaw]

Thay makes sense, I havent looked at the bolts to my tranny yet but I'll be puking my 2.5 out right away to rebuild it. Did you have any other issues dropping a new engine in?

 

[Liam]

When you lowered the transmission did you have the engine mounts out first? How did getting the transmssion skid plate thing off go?

 

[David01se]

Liam, hopefully the link below works. It shows how to remove a manual transmission. I know your doing the engine, but at some point in the video he gets at the top two tranny bolts. The engine is still secured by the engine mounts when removing the tranny bolts. I didn’t have any issues getting my skid plate off but rust can be an issue.

Tjoutlaw. This was my first engine swap in about 40 years. Last one I did was in high school. I marked and labeled every wire connection and vacuum line. Some of the vacuum lines had rubber connections. A few were cracked and needed to replaced. One of the ground wires was frayed and replaced. I also replaced the engine mounts. One the first try I had the mounts mounted to the frame. For some reason I just could get the engine to set in them. I them put the mounts on the block and it dropped right in.

Not sure if your Jeep has AC. Mine does. I was able to remove the compressor and just tie it off to the side with hoses connected.

 

[Tjoutlaw]

Perfect thanks for the info, mine doesnt have ac, I'm still unsure if I should rebuild the 2.5 or just drop in a 4.0 or a 350 i