Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) OK, KDP taken care of, but...

[Josbrun03]

Hi guys,

I hear, lots of you got your KDP fixed, but what about the gear housing retaining bolts? From what I have read so far, they are getting loose as well as the dowel pin, and have potential to inflict eaven heavier damage than the pin. To make mathers worst, some of them are hiden under the cam shaft gear. Has anybody try to deal with that? Sure would like to know what is your take on it.

I have contacted local dealer, the Glenn E Thomas Dodge in Long Beach, and they quoted me $ 600. 00 for removing the cover and installing a setscrew. They like to stay in synch with the local real estate.

 

[SRadke]

I've not heard of the housing bolts coming loose. I have heard of the cam retainer bolts coming loose however. None of the gear housing bolts are hidden behind the cam gear and neither are the cam retainer bolts. If you want to work on them just buy a timing case cover gasket, take the cover off and loctite to your hearts content. I replaced a timing gear case on a 98 model at 100K miles and none of the bolts were loose.



-Scott

 

[QRTRHRS]

Those bolts do come loose. I found some on my 97 when I tabbed it. My neighbors first gen lost one which took the gear off the camshaft along with the front of the cam.

 

[Josbrun03]

Bolts inside the gear housing

Hey Scott,

I have gone through a lots of posts on this subject and many say exactly what this one does: Quote: "The bad thing is all 4 bolts inside the gear housing were so loose that if the pin did not fall out and do this damage the bolts would have soon. Now I am not sure how the jig fix is done but if the cover in not removed and the gear housing inner bolts are not cleaned a lock tightened some one could end up with more damage than the dowel pin those bolts are a lot harder and may cause gear damage. "

End of quote.

There is five (5) mounting bolt for the gear housing, 3 of them are hidden under the cam gear. And yes, they are getting loose!

My question everybody! Would it be possible to pull the cam only partialy out, just enough to allow access to the bolts? Without tearing down the front end of the truck? You would still have to deal with the rods and lifters, but only one or two.

Joe.

 

[SRadke]

Sorry Joe, you're right. I got my steps a little out of order. You do have to pull the cam to get to 3 of those bolts. As far as pulling it partially, I don't see why not. You'll still have to remove the valve covers, rocker assemblies, pushrods, and lift pump as well as do the lifter pull up thing but pulling the cam all the way out isn't necessary. The two bolts in the cam retainer can be accessed through the holes in the cam gear.



-Scott