timing gear housing dowel fell out

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My 1995 2500 4x4 12V 5 speed w/80,100 mi had a major problem. One of the alignment dowels which aligns the timing gear housing to the front of the block came out while driving. It fell down on the cam gear and then broke the timing housing. The gear chewed the pin some and then a piece of the pin went between the crank gear and the timing gear. This killed the front crank journal and the front cam bearing.
Dodge of Chattanooga is putting new Cummins long block in under warranty. Excellent service but disappointed that it happened to my prized possession. See engine pictures at: http://home. chattanooga.net/~bboxall/bad_cummins_001.jpg
there are 6 pictures (thru 006.jpg)


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1995 Ram 2500 4x4 3. 54 5 spd

 

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If you ever have your timing cover off the front of your engine, have someone kiss the dowel hole is a light tap of a hammer and ball bearing to slightly close the dowel hole. Mine was thru-reamed and allowed the dowel to vibrate out.

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1995 Ram 2500 4x4 3. 54 5 spd

 

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bboxall: Sorry to read and see your problem. Sounds like Cummins is taking care of you.

Your post is a Great example of the technical quality and information of most of this site. The picture was outstanding.

By the way that 95 motor looks clean enough inside... ... .

Best of luck toward a trouble free button-up and lots more miles.

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92cum'ns 5spd 4wd all possible mods. to void warranty.

 

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Also sorry to hear of your troubles and as Old School pointed out Them gears are might clean and I would like to know about your maintenance as in oil type, brand, weight and change schedule.

 

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The maintenance on that engine is:
Shell Rotella 15w-40 every 3000 miles with
Fleetguard Microglass filter
New fuel filter every 10k
New air filter every 10k
Valve adjust every 30-40k at Cummins South in Chattanooga

The truck never used a drop of oil, gave 19. 8 to 21. 2 mpg. (not bad for 4x4, 5spd, 3. 54, my heavy right foot)

Boys, lets just go ahead and admit it, there is no better engine that the Cummins.

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1995 Ram 2500 4x4 3. 54 5 spd

 

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is this a problem on the 24v also???

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'01 on order (pick it up in may 2000), 2500 QC,SWB, 4x4, auto, SLT, black, camel leather, camper special, snowplow prep, tow package, rear sliding window, trip computer, LSD, 4. 10, will install 35 inch mud tires asap, cost 34k. (if your truck is like mine what MPG's do you get????

 

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This is a GREAT post! Thanks

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1996 Dodge Cummins Club Cab, 2500, automatic with a 3. 54, claret red pearl coat,matching bed cover, Jacobs E-brake, K&N, 18,000 miles.

 

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I agree with Doc & James, Great post & Picture bboxall #ad


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1994 Dodge Ram SLT Cummins 5 speed 4x4,3. 54 gears, Scotty Air System,PIAA Platnum Super Whites,Optima red top batteries, manual trans filter,Turbo&Exhaust blanket,Magnaguard rear diff cover,Edelbrock IAS shocks,muffler removed,Borgeson steering shaft,Trailmaster steering stabilizers,Rancho upper & lower links,Polyurethane sway bar bushings,Skyjacker 2" leveling springs(front),Fabritech Stage II Traction Bars,Denman Coyote A/P LT305/85R16(36" Tall) tires on Stock Dodge Chrome 16x6. 5 wheels,Bushwacker Street Flares,Back-off saftey brake light,Bugflector II bug shield, Royal Purple ,Amsoil& Red line lubes throughout.

1970 Plymouth Cuda (under construction)
1968 Hurst HEMI® Dart , Nah its just a screen name ;-)

 

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Bboxall, sorry to hear about your truck, that really bites!
Back to the 24-valve, anyone know if this potential weakness has been resolved on the ISBs? The idea of a 2-cent part falling out and doing $10K in damage is a little disconcerting. To have something like this happen after meticulous upkeep has to be a little discouraging! If this happened to me, I'd sell the truck. I wouldn't be able to drive it another 50-100k miles or whatever. You can't talk up your truck if it's on its second engine before 100,000 miles.

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Vaughn MacKenzie

1998 3/4T QC 4x4 Longbed, 24-valve 5-spd, White over Driftwood, Leather & Loaded, foglights, airdam, DeeZee Running Boards, K&N air filter. 51,420 miles (11/20/99)

Member of BOMB Persuasion

 

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Well, I look at it this way. I am impressed with the way Dodge of Chattanooga is handling the repair. My new long block arrived 11/24 and they will have me on the road after the holiday. I have priced a new QC 2500 4x4 6 speed but can't order one - heck, my wife said I could get it and I need to before she changes her mind. I guess I'll drive the '95 and see about a 2001. A friend of mine with a phord said I should trade the Dodge for a powerjoke and I told him to seek counselling.

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1995 Ram 2500 4x4 3. 54 5 spd