Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Killer dowel pin MIA

[Loghead]

I took the timing cover off my '97 4x4 today. The front seal has been leaking and so has the cover gasket.

I figured I'd tab the dowel pin while I was at it- so I made the tab per Joe G's handy write-up.



Dowel pin isn't there.



A couple of questions regarding this:



Does anyone know if it was a common "fix" to simply remove the pin and chuck it?

Am I one of the lucky in that the pin backed out and harmlessly fell into the oil pan?

I'm inclined to order the dowel pin from the local Dodge dealer and then go ahead and tab it, since the dowel pin was put there for a reason.

Should I, or should I just shrug my shoulders and reassemble minus the pin?

 

[HLEschenko]

--No it is not a common "fix" to take it out, the pin keeps the housing in alignment.
--You were very lucky if the pin went to the oil pan and didn't do any damage. Maybe some one did take it out.
--I would also install a new pin and tab it. There are fasteners (4 or 5 ea) that hold the gear housing to the block that can loosen and also cause major damage. Check, loctite, and retorque those fasteners, too.

 

[Loghead]

Thanks for the reply.

I've ordered the part- hopefully I get this thing back together before it snows!

 

[WilsonF]

I second HLEschenko. Take out the bolts, one at a time, clean it and the hole w/brake cleaner and reinstall w/blue loc-tite.

Floyd

 

[Loghead]

Regarding these fasteners:

Are they the 4 8mm(?) bolts that surround the crankshaft, in addition to the one that holds the KDP tab?

 

[CSnyder]

Regarding these fasteners:

Are they the 4 8mm(?) bolts that surround the crankshaft, in addition to the one that holds the KDP tab?

The front cover bolts are spread around behind the gears and sometimes you must bar the engine over to reach them all.

 

[Loghead]

Thanks to all...

It took almost a week for the Dodge dealer to get the pin. It's in and tabbed.



I also renewed my subscription for the year. I figured the advice I received regarding the KDP and the case bolts was worth the 35 bucks.



In addition to the "tab" bolt, I removed, cleaned, "Loctited" and torqued the other bolts (one at a time).

The two bottom bolts were snug"ish". The other three were not finger tight-nope, they were finger loose.



Anyhow, it's runnin again- although I think I damaged the windshield washer pump. Not a big problem by comparison.

 

[JohnBoy5]

wow all i have to say is that was lucky! how much was the pin?

 

[Loghead]

The pin was $3. 75.