Looks like it's going smooth!

 

Well, my rebuild project has hit a snag. After rebuilding the bottom of the engine, we can't get the camshaft to go back in; it's too tight. Possibly one of the cam bearings wasn't inserted correctly at the machine shop?

It's a huge disappointment as things were going so well. The machine shop will make it right but my guy will have to disassemble what's already been rebuilt. I feel like I can't ask him to do this twice especially since he already has done so much free (nothing's ever free!) labor. It's a mess and I'm not sure what will happen to the truck - I've got some decisions to make.

I finally took a photo of the plenum - the reason I got into this mess in the first place.



It was blown in three places!

A couple weeks ago I decided to move on from my truck. I have no idea of when I'll get it back. I needed a truck so I bought a 2004 1500 Laramie that's in great condition. The new truck is a 5.7 Hemi 4WD (electronic transfer case) and has about 100k miles on it. It's going to be my daily driver. Here are a couple photos:






I'll keep this thread updated once I figure out how to finish the rebuild of my 2nd gen. In the meantime, I just want to thank all you guys that have helped me over the past year and a half. I really appreciate it!

 

nice new ride..hittin snags seem inevitable..

 

That totally sucks man, but on the plus side you got a Hemi now!

 

Did you somehow get undersized cam bearings? You are putting the cam in the correct direction, right?

 

How's the power and comfort , I always thought about getting a 3rd gen but people ask high for them .

Is the milage at least nice , in double digets lol

 

when you talk about excessive oil consumption being indicative of a bad plenum gasket, what exactly does that mean? Do the trucks burn oil when the gasket goes? So if I'm constantly burning oil, then my plenum gasket is bad. Or will it leak oil somewhere? My truck burns no oil.I have not looked into the tb yet because I don't have any symptoms of a blown gasket.

 

The thread title should be changed to "Plenum repair turns into 2004 Hemi Ram."

 

Hey another fellow 04 Hemi guy! Welcome to the dark side lol... i dont want to go back to my 2nd gen thats why i am taking my time fixing it lol

 

Have you read the plenum thread?
The gasket is at the bottom of the intake. When the gasket is blown or because of other reasons, oil is sucked into the intake, then sent into the combustion chamber (along with air of course) where it is then burned. If your plenum gasket is blown your truck is most likely not gonna blow blue smoke, and will surely not leak externally because of it.

If you're losing (burning) oil, TAKING OFF the throttle body and looking down the intake for pooled oil is a sure way of finding a blown plenum. If it's not that's it will be something more serious; piston rings, valve guides, etc.