Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How to adjust valves correctly ??

[continentaldrifter]

Hello,i was told at 90,000 the valves need to be adjusted. Mechanically inclined with Harleys and gas engines yes!!,diesels... ... . still learnin'. I would appreciate a quick run down. OR, am i better off bringing it to Fleetpride or a dealer. Thanks for any tips

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I can't give you the specifics off the top of my head but they may be on dodgeram.org. Basically you find TDC and adjust half the valves and then roll it over and do the other half. It's pretty easy. Some people use a barring tool to roll the engine and some just put a socket on the alternator pulley. It's no different then doing a gasser, pushrods, rocker arms, valves. No real tips or tricks, the number 6 is a little of a pain to reach under the firewall and the valve cover is in a tight spot back there. The finding TDC is a little of a pain because of not being able to look in the port where the mark os, had to use a mirror and a bright light.

 

[Thomas]

"Hello,i was told at 90,000 the valves need to be adjusted. "



On the ISB the normal service interval is 150,000 miles. Probably can't hurt at 90,000 miles.

 

[Alan Reagan]

I just did mine at 105,000. I couldn't rotate the engine using the alternator pully (22 mm) so I used the crank damper bolt (15 mm I think). You have to pull the crank ventilator (blowby adapter) off the timing cover. Just remove the hose. Grip the plastic adapter firmly and turn CCW and the blowby adaptor will screw out.



You'll need a mirror and flashlight. The timing cover has the TDC mark on it. The pump gear has the timing mark on its face (inside the timing cover). You'll need the mirror to see it. Also, I found that without a flashlight, you'll have a hard time getting the allignment right.



Rotate the engine till you get the timing mark on the gear lined up with the TDC mark on the cover. Then you are ready to start adjusting the first three cylinders done at TDC. The intake valves are the short bar and the exhaust are the long bar. After you do the first three of the cylinders in the TDC set, rotate the engine 180*. The timing mark on the gear should be in the center of the square notch on the bottom of the blowby adapter hole at this point. Then you are ready to do the other three.



All of mine needed adjusting (they were loose) at 105,000. Takes about 1. 5 hours from start to finish.



Big tip. Take the bolts out of the cover and it will slip right off and right back on. Don't take the rear bolt out and you'll have to slip the cover over the heater hose and work it out from over the valves.