2001 Dodge Ram - Magnum v8 5.2l Rebuild - I need help...

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Jun 17, 2018 | 10:03 AM
  #11  
Quote: ...I wonder if the engine overheated since the previous owner installed a water pump....
Have to pull the pump to swap timing chain, so most people just put a new pump on when they swap chains.
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Jun 17, 2018 | 10:19 AM
  #12  
Quote: Have to pull the pump to swap timing chain, so most people just put a new pump on when they swap chains.
Hmm. I don't remember pulling the water pump when I set the timing but I guess I might have. Could I have set the timing off 180° and caused the damage? But I guess it was probably done when the chain broke.
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Jun 17, 2018 | 10:40 AM
  #13  
Yep, water pump MUST come off to get the timing cover off. (water pump bolts to it.)

The damage was done when the chain broke. Nothing you did.

If the valves whacked the pistons, there IS going to be damage. You can't just replace the valves, you will need the seats ground as well. (as the bent valve slamming into them several thousand times isn't gonna do 'em any favors. ) Not to mention the dents it will leave in the top of the pistons.... (hot spots, prone to promoting spark knock.)

You aren't going to get away with 200 bucks for a rebuild on that. You will likely spend more than that on just the heads...... and the stock heads generally aren't worth fixing. (crappy castings.)
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Jun 17, 2018 | 01:09 PM
  #14  
get the junkyard motor to get you back on the road, then keep your engine and rebuild it as you get time and money (upgrades).
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Jun 17, 2018 | 01:40 PM
  #15  
Ok I'll pull the heads tomorrow and have a look. I'll take some pictures and then get a quite for an engine.
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Jun 17, 2018 | 01:44 PM
  #16  
You have to unhook all the wiring and plumbing to replace it or rebuild it. Use masking tape and a marker or pen on all connections. Take lots of pictures before pulling it apart so you can see where stuff used to be. It's possible you have the cam installed when #1 was at TDC on the exhaust stroke. There are also people who had trouble because the actual timing dots on the gears are small and they used some bigger dots that aren't for timing. Some where there are pictures of the correct marks.

To rebuild your engine, you need to take the heads off and see if the pistons are damaged. At the least, I would hone the cylinders, install new crank and rod bearings, oil pump, gaskets, seals. Your heads should be magnafluxed, new valves and seats, and maybe valve guides. At this point you'll probably be in the 500-1000$ range. That's if the magnafluxing doesn't reveal cracked heads which are common. Odessa makes replacement heads that are better than OEM. If you really want to rebuild it, I think they would be the best way to go.

I honestly think looking for an engine in a truck is your best option. You can see the mileage and overall condition of the vehicle. The yard may even be able to start it for you. Lot's of guys have 200,000 miles. Try to find one between 50k and 125k. Put your new timing set, water pump, thermostat, and gaskets (including the plenum) on it. Then once it's running, do some research, buy a 360, and rebuild it when you have time and money to do a nice job.
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Jun 17, 2018 | 01:54 PM
  #17  
Quote: You have to unhook all the wiring and plumbing to replace it or rebuild it. Use masking tape and a marker or pen on all connections. Take lots of pictures before pulling it apart so you can see where stuff used to be. It's possible you have the cam installed when #1 was at TDC on the exhaust stroke. There are also people who had trouble because the actual timing dots on the gears are small and they used some bigger dots that aren't for timing. Some where there are pictures of the correct marks.

To rebuild your engine, you need to take the heads off and see if the pistons are damaged. At the least, I would hone the cylinders, install new crank and rod bearings, oil pump, gaskets, seals. Your heads should be magnafluxed, new valves and seats, and maybe valve guides. At this point you'll probably be in the 500-1000$ range. That's if the magnafluxing doesn't reveal cracked heads which are common. Odessa makes replacement heads that are better than OEM. If you really want to rebuild it, I think they would be the best way to go.

I honestly think looking for an engine in a truck is your best option. You can see the mileage and overall condition of the vehicle. The yard may even be able to start it for you. Lot's of guys have 200,000 miles. Try to find one between 50k and 125k. Put your new timing set, water pump, thermostat, and gaskets (including the plenum) on it. Then once it's running, do some research, buy a 360, and rebuild it when you have time and money to do a nice job.
So the junkyard motor I should pull apart and change the gaskets and plenum before putting it in?
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Jun 17, 2018 | 01:56 PM
  #18  
It will take some time for me to pull the engine because I have to get my other truck registered so I can bring my engine lift which is 200 miles away
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Jun 17, 2018 | 03:33 PM
  #19  
If you have already fixed your intake, I would just swap it.
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Jun 17, 2018 | 08:00 PM
  #20  
Quote: If you have already fixed your intake, I would just swap it.
The plenum?

Is it possible that the plenum gasket is shot and causing no compression?
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