Early First Gen Dowel Pin

[Greenleaf]

Guys. Anyone out there ever seen a dowel pin in a early first gen rig? Mine is just out from flush with the case and I cannot move it. It has to be much longer than the later models or it's fallen out of alignment with the hole in the engine block.



When striking it with a hammer/ punch it produces that ping sound like it's already seated or hitting something solid.





GL

 

[DonTX]

Me Too

I am also searching for that information. Since I have an 87 model engine, I had read someplace that the very early ones did not have that problem, maybe it is long enough it cannot come out or some such thing?

 

[Kiohio]

I have read alot on it and wondered myself.

If ANYONE with a 1st gen has ever had one come out.



KO

 

[tugboatphil]

If I'm not mistaken, Daniel Puckett had one come out, but it didn't hit anything.

 

[Philip]

That was CB-Parker had one come out.

 

[bgilbert]

Ah, CB-Parker, Daniel Puckett, same difference right??:-laf. Weren't they roommates out west at one time??

 

[MUDDY]

i have personally seen 2 busted 1gen cases from dowell pins coming out. one on a 92 and one on a 90. have also personally seen the results of a case bolt falling out on a 1gen. not too pretty



as to the length of the pin on earlier 1gens,,,,,,,,,,,,, my memory sez they the same length early 1g to late. set in quite a bit but,,,,,,,,,,,,,my memory may be wrong. hopefully harold will see and respond as he knows everything and has done a million of these kdp fixes

 

[Greenleaf]

In terms of a lost pin on a first gen... ... ... it's rare cuz the pin boss is longer. Thus it takes longer for the pin to travel out. More material for the pin to travel through when compared to the later models, which, I just got through tabbing a pin in a 97 model. The case is flat there. No "step" like on the first gen rigs.



As to the length of pin... . I'm still open to opinions on that.





GL

 

[rlyons]

I still stand on why take a chance? It is not that hard to do and costs less than most mods we do. If you never change your oil your truck may last 10 years but it might not! Why worry about it maybe coming out when you can be sure in a few hours.

 

[hbowers]

I have seen two first gens that the pin fell out. in both cases the only damage was

a broken case. I repaired a 91 where a bolt fell out(the dowel pin was fully seated)

the bolt went through the gears and broke the camshaft. so on 1st gens I think a bolt

is as apt to fall out as the pin. I reccomend pulling the cover,tabbing the pin and

cleaning and loc-titing the bolts inside.

the dowel pin should be recessed in 1/4 in from flush in a 1st gen. if you can't drive

it in any further I would tab it and take care of the bolts.

 

[DonTX]

Curious

Was wondering, did Cummins or Dodge ever put out a service bulletin on this?

 

[hbowers]

No not that I know of. they won't admit having a problem. all the 1st gens I have looked into did not have any type of thread sealant on the bolts inside the gear case,

and I have seen some that were finger tight. however all the 2nd gens I have been

into have had some type of thread sealant on the bolts. brown in color. but I can't

say they all did. I think only a small fraction of Cummins engines had the dowel pin

problem. but you never know who is gonna be next. so IMO it's best to fix it anyway.

I call it preventitive maintenance.

 

[Paychk]

NO



All Cummins did was make a change to the housing, somewhere in the 98 production run I believe.

 

[JLEONARD]

it's rare cuz the pin boss is longer. Thus it takes longer for the pin to travel out

Then again we've been running these trucks longer giving it ample time to travel. :-laf



What's still interesting to me is that the pin does NOT come out on the marine engines. One of those things that makes you say hmmmmmm.

 

[Greenleaf]

"hummmmmmmm... "



Yep. Your right.

 

[TKingsbury]

Maybe it's a huge conspiracy to sabotage the Dodge/Cummins partnership. Either that, or just crappy machine work. :-laf

Travis. .

 

[DonTX]

I should be Thankful!

I guess if I look on the bright side, since mine won't start, it won't chew up a KDP! :-laf :-laf

 

[JLEONARD]

See Don... that's what it's all about... turn that negative into a positive.



And you ain't wearin' the tires out either bud. :-laf :-laf

 

[DonTX]

But My Starter is About Worn Out!

If I don't get it fixed soon, the starter is going to need attention though! :-laf