I have a 96 xj12 that is being stripped for parts. Has anyone pulled a v12 out of one of these beasts? What approach would you recommend for a home garage? Out the top or drop the subframe? Can the top radiator support be unbolted?
The radiator frame will unbolt if the Torx bolts haven’t siezed solid in which case they are apparently a bitch to drill out.
That torx bolted radiator upper frame looks like its only part of the front cross member. I’d like to remove the member that the radiator frame bolts to. So I can have a nice open window to withdraw the engine. Worst case I’ll probably cut it out.
Hi Vic,
Yes, cut the top rail near the hinges.
Rob
Been fighting with this thing for an entire day now. It looks like the catalytic converter is binding on the steering column. Can’t seem to get it past. Was the steering column supposed to be removed?
Yeah, I ran into that problem too…damb. Just when you think you have it out, another problem.
I think it’s drop the rack, or the cat. I did one each way.
Good luck,
Rob
For anyone looking for this information I thought I would just write an update. I got the engine out without much trouble but with a lot of luck as the exhaust downpipe wasn’t too rusty and it came off easily.
So you can do this two ways;
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If you’re just harvesting the engine, unbolt and move all the A/C components to the passenger’s side. Then cut the front upper radiator support, remove the steering column and pull the exhaust after the downpipe.
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If you’re doing this as part of a restoration, drop the front subframe. Don’t even think of pulling the engine from above.