Ok so the 5.2lengine in a friends 01 ram is totally locked up. Don't know the reason. In the mean time picked up a used replacement. Currently pulling stuff out of the truck and I'm down to the lower engine mounts, rear bell housing bolts and tc bolts. I realize since I'm unable to turn the engine the side effect will be to take the torque converter wit the engine which most people don't recommend. So a few questions. What's the best way to undo the 3 upper bell housing bolts as well as get the torque converter free

 

In all honesty you might be better off pulling the who engine and transmission out in one shot, if its 4wd you'll probably have to unbolt the transfer case, plus it will make life so much easier when it come time to reinstall as well..

 

Drop the pan and see if you can remove the rods from the crank. Since it's trash if you can't get them off just cut the connecting rod so you can turn the crank.

 

Wound up pulling the engine with the tqc attached. Once out of the engine bay wound up having enough space between flex plate and motor to use a long handled genius wrench with 0deg offset to undo the 4 bolts holding it in place. Next chore will be dropping another one in and lining stuff up.

 

Change the front seal on the trans before reinstalling the t/c.... chances are it got tweaked when the engine was pulled. Its easy right now, put the engine back in, and THEN discover the leak, you will not be happy.

 

Is there any trick to replacing that seal or just freeze it over night and lube it with some atf+4

 

Having the right driver for it helps, but, isn't absolutely required. Leaving it in the freezer overnight will definitely help on the install. Smearing a little grease on the t/c snout that goes in there isn't a bad idea either.

 

Does anyone know the seal number for a transmission with the 787 converter?

 

Or is it the same for all autos 94-01

 

There are parts manuals available in the FAQ section here. One of the sticky threads.