hey everyone. So in the upcoming weeks I am going to be tearing into my engine a bit doing the hughes plenum kit and it looks like my water pump seal is leaking, so I'll be fixing that too. My question is, what repair manual is best and reliable? Haynes? Chilton? Any others? I've heard bad things about Haynes...I'd like one so I can have something to follow. Any input would be appreciated! Thanks!

Also, I thought I read somewhere on here that the water pumps for these trucks are known to be a problem in the sense of the seal goes bad or the pump itself? I'm just curious. If you could set me straight on this also that would be appreciated!

 

OK. Consider THIS a Happy Father's Day present! Use this and one of the others, but the infor here is far better.

Also, the identical plenum plate can be found on e-bay for about half the cost. Use the cost savings to get a new double roller timing set while you are that far into the engine. It will definitley help!

 

thanks gdstock for the info! would it be recommended that the timing chain be done at this point in time with 143xxx miles on it? Or is that more of an upgrade to the timing chain since I'll be that for into it?

 

Replace TC while you have it apart. And since you have a 95, get a Haynes. And download the manual GD linked to. Read them both before doing doing the work.

 

Double roller is an upgrade over the stock morse style chain. Roller does not stretch as much. But with 143K on the odo, it needs to be done. This will improve the timing of the cam to crank which will make the engine run better. The tensioner is not required, but not expensive. Some people add it, some do not. I choose to add. Bolts right up with no mod required.

As you are doing the otehr work, you are right there anyway. There is no better time to do it than now. If you don't, you might have to go back into it in another 40-50,000 miles to do it. Only a little over $50 for sprockets and chain. I got mine form www.mopartsracing.com.

And +1 on the Haynes and download. WHATEVER you do, disconnect battery before you start, and DO NOT under any circumstances let crank or camshaft turn while you remove or replace timing set. Heap of trouble if you do.... just take your time and make sure you nearly memorize the instructions in the manual. I would even go as far as to print out the approriate section and have it there with me while I did it.

 

I prefer Haynes. I've used countless times and not many complaints. They do tend to leave out some detail, but nothing major unless your not mechanically inclined at all. Mostly a bolt here, a bolt there kinds of things.

My dad and I used it when we rebuilt the engine in an old G-Body.

 

Haynes has been know to misstate the torque values on Rams. That is why cross referencing with FSM is a good practice.

 

I want to put on a new water pump when doing this that way its new, where would be a good place to get a good reliable pump? Napa? God forbid the dealership? And as far as that chain tensioner goes, is it a good idea, extra security, or just not worry about it? I'm just debating, its not that expensive and if its beneficial I'll get it.

 

Just get a good quality pump from your local parts store. No point paying premium pricing at the dealer. Unless, you WANT to trade in one or more of your kids for a water pump....

Tensioner really isn't a bad plan, it most certainly won't HURT anything. I didn't install one when I did my timing chain, but, I put in a .25 inch double roller chain too. (less prone to stretching than the stock morse style chain, and a bit more durable than the .22 inch chain.)

 

thanks, ok I figured just a parts store would be good enough. I do plan on getting that double roller chain also, heard good things about it. I'm looking forward to tearing into this project as I have never tore into my truck engine before, so I'm sure I'll be here asking for help! you guys are great on here!