I have spent the day trying to get my oil pan off. I think the problem is that I need to rotate the crankshaft to get pan past the bottom of the engine. I am brain dead. How do I manually turn the crank to get things out of the way?

 

You don't say what engine you have. Seeing as how this is 1st gen Dakota, I'm going to assume a 3.9 but it'll also work on the V-8's too. The most common way is a large ratchet and socket on the bolt in the middle of the harmonic balancer/crank shaft pullet. If you have the cover off the bottom of the torque converter, there is a converter tool thta grabs the teeth on the ring gear/flywheel to turn it. It's generally easier if you pull the spark plugs out. Just be sure to label each plug wire.

 

Thanks. The engine is a 5.2. My brain is clearer today. Back to work.

 

I've had bolts I just could NOT line up to get into a threaded hole. Walkaway, take a short break and come back. They usually will go right in then.