Looking at that pic it looks like its a hold down bolt hole dipstick hole and the other is like an alignment/peg hole thats part of the hold down that keeps the dipstick from moving around.


This dipstick is for the auto trans fluid level not the engine I belive.

 

I posted that picture before I left work yesterday. On the way home I thought would go by the shop where I bought my engine. My old engine was still there setting on the floor and there was a plug in that hole. The mech pulled the plug and I put it in my engine last night. I have no idea what actually goes in that hole. I will say that i bought my truck new in '04 and it has no frills. No electric windows, seat warmers or any of that BS. It's definatly not the transmission dip stick because thats still in the transmission and was never removed.

 

So i am pretty much ready to put this engine in the truck. I pick up the intake manifold and hear something rattling. I take the throttle body off and shake it upside down and sideways. A couple pieces of metal fall out of the intake. Does the intake manifold split easily for cleaning? I sprayed some engine degreaser and will wash it out tonight before i quit for the evening. So will this work or should I just look for a new intake manifold?

 

What happened to your original 3.7 it exploded?


You should have no debris in the intake manifold that's wild?


The manifold is plastic I think new is not cheap

 

Yeah, I was having issues with the number 2 and 4 cylinders. I didnt think it was that bad though. So i think unless i can open this intake and ensure there is nothing else there i need a new one. I sure dont want to want to put this one back on if i cant make sure its clean and something blow into the new engine. A couple of the pictures on google show 2 pieces but i dont see a way to split the top from the bottom.

 

Rockauto.com has them for a 2004 3.7 Dakota $240 I've seen them on ebay for around $100 used

 

If you have a pressure washer that should clean it out well or a cleaning booth with a spray washer wand.


Both should clean out any crap I think

 

I dont think most engines are as bad as mine but looks like Jasper is aware of this issue.



I took mine to the car wash and washed out every hole I could find. I can hear no more rattling so I think I am good.

 

Well thats interesting glad you read instructions


Good catch and avoidance of a potential bad problem

 

I'm dropping the engine now. I am by myself. Any tips?