Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) stupid valve adj questions

[19swinger70]

i think i need to check/adj. the valves on my 96 3/4 ton. it just turned 190k, i bought it at 165k, and i have no idea when the last time they were adj/checked was. it just seems like the engine is a little louder than it was. anyway, it seems fairly easy, but i have a couple of dumb questions. this is the first diesel i have owned, besides my compact tractor.

what is the timing pin that i need to use? is it a tool?

how are you guys rotating the engine? with a breaker bar, or is there too much compression to do it by hand?

i have adjusted valves on gassers, so i know pretty much what to do, just not the diesel specific stuff. any help is appreciated. thanks.

 

[ndurbin]

Forget the timing pin just get the paired cylinder to where it is ready to fire (intake rocker getting ready to go down) and adjust the other cylinder at valve overlap. Snap-on makes an engine turning tool that makes it really easy with a long extention (~4') to turn from up infront of the engine (costs about $48-50 for the tool and extension is like $65 if I remember right). I picked up a 2' ext. off ebay to add with my other 3/8 extentions for the job.



Nathan

 

[Graphic man]

if you take out the injectors it will roll over easy

you should have no problem with a breaker bar on the crank , just do it slow and the compression will bleed off as you turn it over



hope this helps a little!



Scott

 

[RAndrae]

turning over

dont take your injectors out ... . just turn eng over at alternator it will have to turn over backwards but it the same

 

[19swinger70]

good info. thanks guys. can you be a little more specific on the adjusting w/o the timing pin? i have adjusted the valves on the 340 in my swinger, and also a slant six, but im not as familiar with the diesel. also, im intimidated by it a little. im learning though. i have a manual that says what valves to adjust at tdc for comp stroke #1, and then spinning it 360 and finishing the rest. can i do this method without the timing pin? i think your saying i can.

 

[RT66DOC]

For some reason I have NEVER been able to turn mine over with the alternator method. The belt always slips - even a new one. I use a breaker bar on the crank pulley. Another tip: Don't forget to put the trans in neutral. Don't ask how I know this.

 

[Joe G.]

Check here for valve adjusment: http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/valve_adj/12_valve.html



Forget about the little torque wrench gadget displayed on that page. Not necessary.



I recommend that you get a barring tool to rotate the engine. It's simple to use. You can turn the engine both ways. No struggle with slipping. You will need it if you set the pump timing.



The timing pin is a bit PITA to use. TDC does not have to be exact for valve adjustment. Rotate the engine until both valves on #1 are loose and both valves on #6 are tight. That's TDC on #1. Adjust the valves indicated on the page for this engine position. Rotate the engine 360° until both valves are loose on #6 and tight on #1. Adjust the remaining valves.

 

[ndurbin]

You shouldn't need the timing pin at all. I have always adjusted mine and everyone elses by running thru the firing order and doing the paired cylinders (1&6, 5&2, 3&4). I guess it would be similiar to the manuals way except I rotate the engine to do each cylinder seperately not in two steps. So for me to adjust #1, I get #6 to where the intake rocker just starts to move down on the intake stroke, at that point #1 should be at valve overlap. Adjust the valves and move onto #5 by getting #2 to the same spot as #6. Next is #3, then #6, #2, and finally #4. I hope I haven't confused you.



Nathan

 

[19swinger70]

not confused at all. i think i'll use the 360 method, and i'll figure out how i want to turn the engine over with the array of breaker bars ect i have around the shop. one new confusing bit though: i will have to set pump timing? how, and why?

 

[19swinger70]

nevermind... just re-read the post. if i need to set pump timing, i will need the mentioned barring tool. got it. thanks for the help guys. i hope i can actually help some people here too.

 

[surfbeetle]

The easiest way to turn the engine is to release the belt, make sure that it's in neutral, then use a ratchet on a crankpulley nut. Doesn't have to be a large breaker bar. Half the battle is all of the accessories that you are trying to turn if you leave the belt in place. It's also a good time to check the belt and maybe replace it.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The engine can be rotated backwards with the 22mm alternator nut.

First remove the tin cover over the valve covers with a 19 mm or 3/4" wrench. Then go to the car wash and clean thoroughly around every valve cover so crud won't fall in when the covers are removed. 15 mm for the valve cover bolts. have new gaskets and o-rings (they go under the bolt heads). The timing pin isn't too useful--only works for half of them anyway as you need to go to both TDCs--#1 firing (#1 valves closed with lash; #6 at overlap with one rocker opening the other closing), and #6 firing. Previous TDR issues covered the procedure. Sorry, I don't remember the issue #s. You adjust half the valves at each TDC. . 010 I and . 020" E.

 

[rhoads]

timming pin

to answer the question the timing pin is located between the eng. block & between the p/s pump- below the Injection pump... . Picture a t headed push pin with a tee head Hard to see with out light. Barr the eng using the the damper pulley bolt-- if you go pass dc. slowely turn backwards and the bolt wont back off. --First blow off the valve cover s and remove and then check # 1 this will let give you a clue asto how far a rotation you have to make.

If you were to remove the timing cover when the pin engages all timming marks on crank-cam-ect are alined--

Firing order TOO Young-Too OLD-Just RIGHT--

Set intake's on 1-2-4

Set Exhaust on 1-3-5 Rotate eng. -( BUT BEFORe )Using a Tri- square or such with a scrip on the damper to cross

member deepen whth a hack saw blade--high lite

w/white soap stone or w/paint Furture adj's the

Pin will not need to be used again unless the damper is replaced

Now rotate 360 deg's

and adj

Intake on 3-5-6



Exh on 2-4-6

Eng temp cold between 60 -100 deg.

Firing order 15 jail 36 scales 24 just right

 

[moparguy]

So, tdramrmbr, how many miles on that 96. Unless it's been on jack stands, it should be approaching a 1,000,000. Or at least high 8s or 9s.



Sorry to highjack the thread. We now return you to your regularly scheduled content.



RJR

 

[MHalloran]

Easiest valve adjustment is the "voo-doo" method. I believe it was in Issue 29. I doubted this technique until I actually tried it. It works! :-laf