I have a 2000 Dakota with 3.9 Magnum with 145k on it... I am getting stuff together so i can replace the timing chain next weekend. Replacing head-gaskets as well but since I have it down that far I may as well do the timing set. I bought a Cloyes dbl roller, also new timing chain tensioner. What puller do I need for the balancer- exact info on line seems hard to come by but it looks like I will need a "jaw" type- is this correct? 2 or 3 jaw? Also for reinstalling the balancer what is the best method? Also will the timing gear at the crank come off easily? With the mileage it has would I do well to replace the balancer as well since it is off already? Any other advice? Thanks, sorry for all the questions- I will be working on my Dakota at home and the nearest parts place is 20 miles away and my only ride will be in pieces so I want to cover all the bases I can before I tear into it and then need to bum a ride into town. Thanks in advance!!

 

I bolt-through puller would be better than a jaw type. If you use a jaw type, you WILL need a new balancer. The outer ring is only wedge-fitted to the core. Also matters if you have a 1 or 2 piece balancer pulley- 2 piece will have six 5/16 bolts on the face for the pulley to separate from the balancer, a 1 piece will have cast ribs on the unit assembly.

Bolt-through puller won't work on the 1 piece, but 00 should be a 2 piece....should.

 

Thanks magnethead... I just had the fan shroud off replacing the fan clutch so I gave the balancer a look.. no bolts so looks like it is one-piece.

 

Use a jaw puller then, but be careful where you clamp on to, as you'll either bend the rubber ring off the metal core, or warp the serpantine pulley.

 

Cool, thanks for the heads up! For what a new one costs I may just get a new one anyway since I am that far already...

 

IMO that would be the best bet, so that you dont have to worry about it. A friend and I used a sledge hammer to pull the one off the junkyard motor (all I needed from it was the block).