I have a 2001 Ram 1500 SLT 4WD. I am very close to embarking on an engine swap. I either have a rod bearing or main bearing about to go ( clicking/tapping noise from lower end). I had considered pulling the engine and troubleshooting the problem and perhaps get away with new main/rod bearings if the crank journals weren't scored. However, a couple of weeks ago I was returning the core exchange of a steering gearbox to my auto parts store and upon check out the cashier presented me with a 25% off coupon saying I was randomly selected. The coupon was valid for that day only. I thought about it and returned to the counter and asked if it could be used on an engine purchase. These guys were dumb-faced. I asked them to ring up a reman long block from ATK and see if the coupon would work...sure enough it did and my reman long block arrived last week. I've been preparing and getting my ducks in a row...engine hoist and 2 engine stands, gaskets, special tools, consumables, etc.

The question I have for the group:
Would it be beneficial to remove the truck hood or will I not need that clearance to extract the engine?
(I do plan to remove everything in front of the engine, right down to and including the bumper)

 

Judgement call .... I think it would be easier to remove the hood and lift it up higher.

If you plan to remove everything in the front .... bumper means nothing.
Are you talking about radiator, AC condenser, core support and all the goodies to pull the engine straight? .... Thats a lot of work for a engine swap.

 

Gotta agree here.... Pulling the hood is four bolts. Quick, painless, and easy. (just mark where the hinges are at on the hood, to make alignment when reinstalling it easier.) Pulling everything off the front adds several hours to the job, that you would rather dedicate to doing something else. If you are having trouble lifting the engine far enough to clear, (sometimes a problem on 4x4s....) let the air out of the front tires.

 

I pull the hood on most any vehicle. It just makes it easier even if not mandatory.

If you have access to beater wheels with no rubber mount those. The core support sits pretty high on these trucks.

 

All the motors I pulled out of vehicles the hood was the first thing I removed. Remove the crank sensor if you plan on reusing it. Put it back in after the motor is in. Aware of the plenum issue? Now is the time to fix it.

 

thanks for the heads up on the plenum gasket issue. I reviewed the “End all thread about plenums” and understand the issue. I won’t be surprised if the engine has a blown plenum gasket. It exhibits all the symptoms described, plus I live in Colorado where temperature extremes are common. I’ll go ahead and get the aluminum plate ordered…besides a clogged catalytic converter, are there any other points of failure to inspect as a result of a plenum gasket failure??

 

Nah, just clean the intake/plenum well. It'll be rather dirty. I'd clean the IAC, too and of course the tb.

Are you Front Range or Western Slope? I'm Four Corners

 

I did check the hose coming off the EGR valve and sure enough...there's a vacuum( negative pressure there), certainly not a positive pressure. Again..thanks for the heads up on the plenum issue.