Anyone I need good advice on replacing a bent rod,.. I have never been in the engine, so I don't really don't know what I am doing. I mean I have replaced water pumps, alternator and small stuff. But never been under the covers sort of speak..Any kind of DIY would be helpful. Only going to replace the one bent rod,have heads checked and also replace the plenum...Any advice will be appreciated..

1998 Dodge ram 4x4, with 318 mag

 

How did the rod manage to get bent? Need to fix that before fixing the rod is going to help at all.

 

cracked head,i am assuming....wont know for sure until i get them off

 

if it is a cracked head i would change out both heads and all new rods. changing out 1 rod i dont recommend.

 

gonna have both heads checked and repaired...just a fix until i can have engine and tranny pulled out and re-done together

 

have all the rods blasted, inspected and resized. check your clearances, replace bearings and rings. re-hone the cylinders.

dont get in there and half-*** it.

 

I wouldn't bother repairing the heads either. Better than stock replacements are available for just a bit more than you would spend on the machine work.... and are a guaranteed fix..... Welding cast iron seldom works as planned.

 

not going to do much to the heads, but just check them out and fix them...dont want the top end re-done and not the bottom...

 

Bottom end of these engines are rather stout. The heads/intake are the weak points. Problem with the stock heads is: the decks are too thin, leading to cracking, especially around the valve seats. Not exactly an easily repaired area..... Have 'em checked, see how much it will be to get them ready to go back on, take it from there.

 

my question is how do you the rod is bent? and some causes would be some serious detonation or water is in the cylinders since you cant compress fluids. and if you have never taken an engine apart id do the work to pull the engine and the heads then give the shortblock to a machineshop to make sure everything is done right, i just wouldnt want you to do all this work spend all that money and there be something wrong to which you have to take it back apart.