Timing cover and water pump aren't too bad. Once the pump is off, it's only a few more bolts to get the timing cover off. Gotta be careful with the cover to oil pan part though... You can loosen some of the pan bolts, but, I didn't.... just pried it carefully away from the top, and one it came off the alignment pins, all was good. I used some RTV on both sides of the timing cover gasket on reinstall. The cover had a few spots that were a bit more eroded than I liked.

Crank seal only seals oil. Coolant passes thru two spots in the timing cover. It'll be obvious once you are in there, A bit of RTV around those ports (both sides of the gasket) isn't a bad idea either. While you are going to be RIGHT THERE.... check the timing set as well. The morse style chain that dodge used really likes to stretch.

 

I hope your not saying i must remove that dreaded oil pan ...Will I need a new front seal [ similar to that rear main seal I replaced]
What is that metal cap piece in the kit an some type sealant ? in small bag.
An its not the bigger container of sealant


an I found a great video on the siimilar engine. though that metal cap piece in kit wasnt on it.
https://youtu.be/374lZzp-V20
Should i stick a new water pump in an what should i look at or check for on the timing chain while I have access?
Thanks

 

I didn't pull the oil pan on mine when I did it. (96 Ram, 360) I was just very careful pulling the timing cover. Although, as it turned out, I had to pull the pan later anyway.......

Replace the front seal while the cover is off. It's quick, easy, and the seal comes in the gasket kit. Do NOT get the style with the 'repair sleeve'. I have never had any success with those.

 

Repair sleeve?
Is that what that round metal piece is?

i found out it goes on the harmonic balancer..Is that what you were refering to?

 

Yep, that's the feller.

 

So are you saying not to use that kit? In pic?
What problems from it ?

 

How does your balancer look where the seal rides on it? If it isn't grooved, I would just use the standard kit. I am not sure if the seals are different.... but, I would not be surprised if they were.

 

Havent got that far yet..
Will there be 6 bolts to get cover off- 3 on each side including the 2 oil pan bolts ?.
Still gotta pull balancer.
An whats that trick to get the darn fanblade off waterpump[ already off with fan]
I see coolant leaks where mine is , in that timing cover area there, arent uncommon in ram 5.9 / dakota 3.9.

 

When I did the pump on my 96, I left the serpentine belt on, put a pipe wrench on the nut for the fan, and whacked it with a hammer a couple times. Broke right loose.

Yep, I believe there are four bolts on the cover, below the pump, and then the two coming up from the oil pan. (check and make sure, it's been a while since I have done one.)

 

I lay a strip of cardboard on the edge of the pulley (so it does get marred) then I grip the pulley on the edge with a channel lock. The channel lock locks gets immobilized against that bolt you see sticking out and I use another channel lock or wrench to spin the fan bolt counter-clockwise. The pic shows a new water pump already installed and the blue plastic cap is covering the threads for the fan.

Edit: Crap! I keep forgetting you don't have the 4.7. Well, maybe it'll work anyways.