Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Original owner of 1997 dodge cummins finds out about the KDP

[milkweedboy]

I never heard of the KDP till I went to replace my front oil seal and had to take off my gear cover. when i went to NAPA to get a gasket kit they told me about the problems with the KDP. then I saw all the blogs talking about the issue with it. when I took my cover off the dowel pin was gone and dropped down into the sump. My question is do i have to replace that? the dodge dealership said it will take 4 days for the part!! Isn't the dowel just to hold the gear housing in place? Isnt there enough bolts to hold the gear housing in place. I use the truck for work and I can't wait 4 days.
Thanks for any help

 

[GCroyle]

I might have one at home, need to verify. Locates, doesn't hold. I could mail it to you no charge from SC tomorrow if I still have it.

 

[CRodi]

You're the luckiest person I've heard of, regarding dowel pins.

No need to replace it. It's just a locating pin. It does absolutely nothing to clamp the gear case to the block.

By the way welcome to the TDR.

 

[MLee]

While you have the over off double check the torque on the bolts that hold the case to the block its just 18' #, not much but you are steel to Aluminum. You should re-loctite them. for the procedure search the forum

 

[GAmes]

I disagree about it not being needed. The dowel is in a machined hole, the bolts holding the gear case on have some slop to them. The IP weighs about 44 pounds, the vacuum/power steering pumps weigh another 15 or so. All that weight on one side of the case can put the meshing tolerance of all the gears out of spec if the case shifts even a small amount. I'd wait the four days to get another installed and tabbed.

 

[4 wheelssmoking]

re instalvlthe pin and replace the cover with the newest cummins gearcase cover, it is designed to keep the pin in place. the less expensive option is to TAB the pin to keep it from moving. look up KDP Tab.

 

[savage54]

I disagree about it not being needed. The dowel is in a machined hole, the bolts holding the gear case on have some slop to them. The IP weighs about 44 pounds, the vacuum/power steering pumps weigh another 15 or so. All that weight on one side of the case can put the meshing tolerance of all the gears out of spec if the case shifts even a small amount. I'd wait the four days to get another installed and tabbed.

I agree, you should get a pin for the case, and then tab it and pull the five case bolts clean them and the holes, use red lock tight, torque to 18 ft lbs.I have a dowel pin and the tab and bolt for a 97 dodge. You can pm me if your interested ,we could see how much it would cost to over night them.I'm in Washington state.

 

[GAmes]

......replace the cover with the newest cummins gearcase cover, it is designed to keep the pin in place. the less expensive option is to TAB the pin to keep it from moving.

It is the new style gear case, not the cover, that retains the pin.

OP, the tab doesn't have to be anything special. Mine is cut out from an old beer can.

 

[MLee]

It is the new style gear case, not the cover, that retains the pin.

OP, the tab doesn't have to be anything special. Mine is cut out from an old beer can.

All I can say is you have a lot of faith in your BEER CAN.

 

[GAmes]

All I can say is you have a lot of faith in your BEER CAN.

The point is there is no need to buy a "kit", anything will work just fine. I could have used the metal from a Coke can, it would work just as well. It is a machined pin that weighs next to nothing inserted horizontally in a machined hole. There is nothing pushing it out. Peening the hole would work too.

 

[BigPapa]

It may not be "necessary", but as Gary said, if it was mine I'd put it in and tab it.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

My father-in-law had similar luck. I went to check the KDP and this is what I found. Had about 200K on a 92 Dodge.

 

[GCroyle]

Looks like something tried to escape!

The KDP was how we got the '97 3500 that my son drove from '07-'15. Miss that old rattler.

And I'm taking my new pin home tonight and back to its place of honor in my collection of what' dat stuff.

 

[moparguy]

A sharp punch a hammer and a few minutes peening ordrifting metal about 200000 miles ago has worked for me.