Cylinder Block Assembly: Service and Repair
Cylinder Block Cradle
Special Tool(s)
Material
Removal
All vehicles
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL position it on a hoist.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Remove the air cleaner outlet pipe.
1. Unclip the wire harness.
2. Disconnect the crankcase ventilation tube(s).
3. Loosen the clamps and remove the air cleaner outlet pipe.
4. Remove the bolts and position the fan shroud onto the cooling fan.
5. NOTE: Typical oil level indicator shown. Remove the oil level indicator.
6. Remove the LH engine insulator nuts.
7. Remove the bolt and install the special tool.
8. Remove the RH engine insulator nuts.
9. Remove the bolt.
10. Install the special tool using the previously removed bolt.
11. Install the special tools and raise the engine 25 mm (1 inch).
12. Remove the bolt and position the transmission cooler tube bracket aside.
13. NOTE: Tube-style power steering coolers do not require repositioning.
Remove the nuts and position the power steering cooler aside.
14. Remove the A/C tube bracket nut and position the bracket aside.
4x4 vehicles
15. NOTE: Some vehicles are equipped with a two-piece dual converter Y-pipe (LH and RH).
Remove the dual converter Y-pipe.
16. WARNING: Secure the axle to the jack with a safety strap. Failure to follow these instructions can result in personal injury.
NOTE: Driveshaft shown removed for clarity.
Secure the axle housing to a suitable jack.
17. CAUTION: Any time bolts, washers, spacers or nuts are loosened in the differential support for any reason, install new components to prevent damage.
Remove and discard the axle housing support bolts and nuts.
18. Remove and discard the axle housing support bolt and nut.
19. Lower the axle housing 25 mm (1 inch).
20. If equipped, remove the front axle dampener.
All vehicles
21. Remove the starter solenoid terminal cover.
22. NOTE: The starter is shown removed for clarity. It is important to keep the starter motor from applying tension on the starter motor cables.
Disconnect the starter motor electrical connectors.
23. Remove the nut and the ground cable.
24. Remove the starter motor bolts.
25. NOTE: Install the drain plug when finished draining.
Drain the engine oil.
26. Remove the bolts and the oil pan.
27. Remove the oil pump pickup tube.
28. Remove the bolts.
29. NOTE: The cylinder block cradle is shown removed for clarity. Note the location of the two torx bolts at the rear of the cylinder block cradle.
Remove the rear cylinder block cradle bolts.
30. Remove the eight inner bolts. Discard the washer seals.
31. Remove the outer bolts and nuts.
32. Remove the cylinder block cradle and the gasket.
Installation
All vehicles
1. NOTE: Inspect the integral oil pan gasket for cuts or damage that may cause leaks. Install a new gasket if necessary.
All sealing surfaces must be cleaned prior to assembly. Use metal surface cleaner to clean the sealing surfaces.
2. NOTE: Gasket material as well as silicone sealant may be present in the cavities in the main bearing cap. This material must be removed completely prior to assembly.
Clean the sealant from the cavities on the rear main bearing cap.
3. CAUTION: Failure to back off the set screws can result in damage to the cylinder block cradle.
NOTE: The set screw is shown from the top (crankshaft) side of the cylinder block cradle.
Back the eight set screws (7/16-inch Hex) off until they are below the cylinder block cradle boss.
4. NOTE: If the cylinder block cradle gasket is not secured within four minutes of the sealant application, the sealant must be removed and the sealing area cleaned with metal surface cleaner. Allow the metal surface cleaner to dry until there is no sign of wetness, or four minutes, whichever is longer. Failure to follow this procedure can cause future oil leakage.
Apply silicone in the six places shown.
5. Position the cylinder block cradle and gasket assembly.
6. Install and hand-tighten the outer bolts and nuts.
7. Install and hand-tighten the rear cylinder block cradle bolts.
8. Install the two rear cylinder block cradle-to-bell housing bolts.
9. Tighten the outer bolts.
10. Tighten the rear cylinder block cradle bolts.
11. Tighten the eight set screws (7/16-inch Hex).
12. Install the two silver colored bolts and new washer seals. Hand-tighten them at this time.
13. Install and hand-tighten the six remaining bolts.
14. Tighten the cylinder block cradle bolts in two stages in the sequence shown:
^ Stage 1: Tighten to 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.).
^ Stage 2: Tighten to 33 Nm (24 ft. lbs.).
15. Install the oil pump screen cover and tube.
16. Install the oil pan and gasket.
17. Install the starter motor.
18. Connect the ground cable and install the nut.
19. Connect the starter motor electrical connectors.
20. Position the A/C tube bracket and install the nut.
21. If removed, position the power steering cooler and install the nuts.
22. Position the transmission cooler tube bracket and install the bolt.
4x4 vehicles
23. If equipped, install the front axle dampener.
24. NOTE: Driveshaft shown removed for clarity.
Raise the axle housing into the installed position.
25. CAUTION: New axle housing support bolts must be installed each time the bolts are removed. Do not reuse axle housing support bolts.
Install the axle housing support bolt and nut.
26. Install the axle housing support bolts and nuts.
27. Install the dual converter Y-pipe.
All vehicles
28. Lower the engine.
29. Install the RH engine insulator nuts.
30. Install the LH engine insulator nuts.
31. NOTE: Typical oil level indicator shown. Install the oil level indicator.
32. Position the fan shroud and install the nuts.
33. Install the air cleaner outlet pipe.
1. Position the air cleaner outlet pipe and tighten the clamps.
2. Connect the crankcase ventilation tube(s).
3. Install the wire harness clip.
34. Connect the negative battery cable.
35. Fill the engine with clean engine oil.