jbcbussoft

I have a 03/1998 Taurus with a 3L Duratec engine. The engine needs to be replaced and I have purchased a replacement. The engine is unbuckled and ready to pull except it won't release from the transaxle. We have removed the upper and lower bolts. The 4 bolts connecting the gear plate to the torque converter have also been removed but the engine will not come free. What else is there to do?

jbcbussoft

Nobody has an idea?

Bert

I checked the Ford manual and on the regular 3l, they mention pulling the engine like you're talking about. On the Duratech, they show dropping the whole assy out the bottom. I could find no information about splitting them apart. It seems like it should be able to be pulled out the top but no mention about anything unusual. I hope someone can come up with a real answer. Sorry I couldn't help further.

jbcbussoft

Let's try this question from a different angle. If I needed to pull the transaxle to repair it how would I get it loose from the engine?

Bert

That's funny!! I never thought to check that.
Did you remove the three bolts mounting the transaxle-to-engine bracket, located at the front of the engine? How many bolts were holding the engine to the transaxle?

jbcbussoft

Front!? These sideways engines confuse me. To me the front is where the belt(s) are. Where are you referring to?

Bert

That's where I'm referring to. The front of the engine not the car. It is confusing to say the least. We get people coming in saying the right side of the car, because they're looking at the front and meaning their right, not the cars. Hope that helps.

jbcbussoft

There was a bracket that tied the engine and transmission together that was located to the front of the engine and under it. Is this what you are referring to?

Bert

Yes. It sounds like you already took care of it. How many bolts held the trans to the motor?

jbcbussoft

I'll have to roll under when I get off work and count. I believe there were 6 on top and 4 on the bottom.