Most of the guys over at bionic dodge swear by the tensioner. The dodge timimg set is the longest of the big three, and is subject to stretch pretty readily.


On my first swap of the TC, I used a Cloyes HD double chain. When I went in 35,000 miles later to swap a cam in, it had stretched to about the same amount as the original. Had I used a tensioner, it would have taken up that slack.

 

does this look right for TDC this is the old chain i havent taken off yet the only mark i could find is the big hole on the cam gear and little hole on the crank

 

I can see the dot on the cam gear, even in the pic.... that is pretty flipping close.

 

Not a whole lot of stretch in that chain either...

 

I have used double roller on every thing of mine for years.

 

I've read that some are making sure TDC and others said to just mark where the dot is and realign with the new...can I get some confirmation as to what's correct?

 

Line up the dots, remove the old, install the new. Button it back up. So long as you don't move anything while the gears are off, you will be fine.

 

Ok - getting ready to place order. On the timing chain / gear - for my '98 5.9 do I need 1 or 3 bolt option?

I saw a few recommended sets but the author had the 5.2 engine - I want to make sure I order the correct one. Maybe same set applies to both 5.2 and 5.9?

On the Cloyes sets I think this is the one I need. Can I get some confirmation from the wealth of knowledge here?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-2103/

Also - I've read you can advance cam 4 degrees for a lil umph and these say can advance timing. How do I do that?

 

You want the one bolt flavor. If you get the 'adjustable' set, you can install them and advance the cam a bit. Just moves your power band around.