Kyle,
It isn't that difficult, just time consuming. The worst thing about doing
this for the first time is always running into needing a tool you don't yet
own. If you are just replacing the chain and gear set, you won't need to
readjust your timing. Take note of where the crank and cam keys are, and
just slide off the old set and slide on the new ones. Or you could bring
your #1 piston up to TDC (top dead center), and change then the same way.
This lines up your timing marks in a straight vertical line.
The tricky part is not messing up your oil pan seal. They had RTV gooped in
the corners of my seal and I couldn't get the timing cover loose without
messing it up. That was a mistake. Now I have drop the exhaust, jack up
the block in order to remove the oil pan and replace the seal. To top it
off, a nice Fel-Pro oil pan seal cost $30! Can't imaging what the dealer
wants for one. Oh well, it was leaking a little in the back anyway. Of
course my truck is still under warranty and I could have had the dealer
replace it, but not now since I messed it up myself.
I still have the water pump and timing cover off. I'm cleaning everything
up and painting the covers before I reinstall them. If you think of any
more questions, just give a hollar.
Rich
> ----------
> From: Kyle Kozubal[SMTP:grndak4x4@home.com]
> Reply To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2000 3:16 PM
> To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> Subject: DML: Re: Timing Chain Suprise
>
> > A couple weeks ago I ask about replacing my timing set even thought it
> > wasn't making any noise. From the replys that came back, I decided to
> > change it. When I pulled the cover off and checked the slack, what a
> > suprise I received. With just over 50Kmi., the chain had stretched so
> much,
> > it allowed about 5/8" play. I wouldn't have thought it had stretched
> like
> > that, especially without making any audible indication. Thanks to
> everyone
> > who replied. The Mopar double roller set I installed will hopefully run
> a
> > lot longer
>
> Rich,
> How hard was it to replace them chain/sprockets/gaskets/seals on the
> entire
> job? I know all the parts are around $120, fairly cheap. Paying a garage
> to
> do the job, and adjsut the timing, is the expensive part, this is why I am
> contemplating doing it myself and also learning alot doing so. My Dak has
> 116,000 miles on it and I want to do it soon, just not sure if I should
> try
> to do it yet.
> Kyle
> 93 Dakota 4x4 V6
>
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