Topic: What fits what??

[Hunter02]

Pardon the questions, but as the little 'twerps' say, 'back in the day' when I was banging my knuckles on other peoples Saginaw Iron, I used to know what fit what and why. But nowadays I'm a little lost. I've got a '98 TJ 2.5L Auto and the rear main seal has sprung a leak. The book says the only way to do this is to take the engine out. If I take out a 2.5 I ain't puttin' a 2.5 back in. What I need to know is what In-line 6 cyl will drop into this thing? I would like it to be as close to Plug-N-Play as possible.
Please don't tell me about the 4.6 Stroker from Q-Trec. It makes my panties damp looking at it, but it's just not in the budget. 260 horse and 300 lbs of torque out of an in-line 6. Dam.   Jim

[grumpygy]

Then just take out the Auto and replace it with a manual, while replacing the rear main.

[sharpxmen]

like he ^ said, you can replace the rear crank seal by removing the transmission

4.0 will not fit right off the bat, you need to relocate the motor mounts and you need the whole harness and PCM (ECU). you'll also need the transmission bellhousing, i'm not sure about the t/c but my guess is that's also different (if i understand correctly you have an auto)

that's what i can think of, i'm sure there's more

[chrisfranklin]

...260 horse and 300 lbs of torque out of an in-line 6. Dam.   Jim

Just got back from driving an '11 Crown Vic rental from LA to Sacramento and back for work.  It had 240hp/280some lbft torque and I missed that torque after I returned the car this morning.  Car was about 4000+ lbs, but it got around good. 

[Bounty Hunter]

No easy upgrade.

Is the 2.5 rear main seal not a 2-piece like the 4.0 seal? Only required to drop the pan on a 4.0.

[sharpxmen]

No easy upgrade.

Is the 2.5 rear main seal not a 2-piece like the 4.0 seal? Only required to drop the pan on a 4.0.

nope, 2.5 has a 1 piece

[jagular7]

See if the oil pan gasket is the source.

I have a 97 2.5l/auto and had to replace the oil pan due to rock damage. Put new pan on, used old gasket. Leaks behind the sheet plate protecting the tc. I should drop it again and add some sealant...maybe, but, I should just look to see where the actual leak is. The oil drips between the sheet plate and the auto's housing. Its just enough that after wheeling, I get drips on the trailer for the way home.