Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Killer D pin

[skorski]

Killer D pin I have 182,000 miles on a 95 pushing 250 hp and 635 torque. I have read about the pin and am confused on what to do . After 182 000 mi am i safe or should I do the jpb.

 

[illflem]

If you don't do something your wallet may later regret it. The more miles you have the more chance for failure.

 

[Joe G.]

The KDP just creeps out. Some take longer than others, but will probably do it eventually. I talked to a guy the other day who has a '96. The repair bill was $2500 to fix his KDP adventure.

 

[JNailor]

KDP

I would recommend fixing it. I did the tab fix. My dowel was only out a little bit, but for the price of a seal and gasket I now have peace of mind. It wasn't that much of a job.

Dana

 

[TPCDrafting]

Check the threads at the top of the 12 valve forum for more KDP info.

If your gear case cover seal or your crank seal is leaking I'd recommend the tab method and replace the seals at the same time. If all looks good, you could try the jig method. I had help from a real mechanic (actually I turned bolts and held the light he did the rest) and we did the tab method in a couple hours.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

At our shop, we will ONLY tab the dowel pin. Where we come from, drilling the gear case is a bad idea. It's not the aluminum shavings I am concerned with--its the tap. If a tiny piece of the tap breaks off and works its way into a bearing, well... You can take it from there. Tap material is very hard... Do you really want to take the risk of what could happen?



A new gasket and crank seal are cheap--much cheaper than a new shortblock--and making a tab is easy. It's the slower, but correct, way to do the job.



I've seen dowel pins halfway out at 50K, and others that haven't moved in 400K. It's pretty random. Seen several 24V rigs with dowels pins on their way out too. Had a '90 in the shop last week where the pin came out, rattled around in the case, and eventually worked its way into the oil pump drive gear. The oil pump got ruined, resulting in zero oil pressure. The good news was the engine survived, but it does need to have the cam gear, gear case, and cover replaced. This is the third broken case I have seen in the past 5 months.

 

[MikeH]

KDP Related

I found out I didn't know how to retire so I am driving a school bus for entertainment and pocket money. The lead mechanic at the bus garage took a great deal of interest in my KDP tab job. They operate several transit style FE buses with 12 valve 5. 9's.

It's not uncommon for them to pull a front cover for seal replacement. Sure enough, the next one they pulled after I tabbed my pickup had the pin out a little. Needless to say, it is now tabbed in perfect TDR style.



MikeH