That's what I thought. I think the 6.1's have 4 each side. If I remember correctly the 5.7's backing plates tend to fatigue (crack) so the 6.1's must be thicker or of a different design.

 

Makes sense, a lot about the 6.1 is a bit heavier duty than the 5.7. I forgot I put the timing cover back on and such so no part number. I'll just put that on my list for the next time I tear into it. It's a good idea too, since the stiffer 6.1 springs were made with the 6.1 timing assembly in mind.. it's now the weak link.

 

I already tossed the stock 5.7 timing assy from my 07 thats going in my Dak and replaced it with the 6.1 but I have another new in the box 6.1 assy and about to tear down an 05 5.7 for a cam swap,I can take side by side pics of the two.

 

Its not the spring if I recall correctly is the surface the chain rides on,many have lost motors due to the stock 5.7 failing :-(

 

I can see that, when I opened the timing cover, now mind you this is my first time looking at any timing assembly, that plastic slide looked iffy. It's either teflon, nylon, or delrin, but either of them just doesn't seem like it would hold up to a lot of high RPM pulls..

thanks for lookin at my thread by the way. you too 69rrbruce

 

http://www.modernwarfareperformance....oner/p_42.html

Cheap insurance,your motor is still on the stand so swapping this out would be quick.

 

hey thanks man, yea that should do it. then I can go a couple oil changes before a whole new timing setup.

 

Good luck , it looks like you've got it figured out..Dodge put Hemi's in the 04' Durango .. I don't know about from 05' to 12' , But- If it was me , I would compare the cross member and oil pan on the 04' durango Hemi to your Dakota and see what the differences are. You might be able to replace you're Ram oil pan with a 2004' oil pan and just bolt it up.. What year is the Durango , oil pan you have ? Is it for a Hemi ?

 

No no no,just put that piece in and be done with it,your motor is brand new and the weak link is that piece,change that and you have a 6.1 timing chain assy.

 

It's an '06 hemi durango motor. I don't think they changed much on the Durango between 04 and 06 other than maybe Bus types, but that doesn't effect me yet. The pan itself, from the durango hemis, are a "center sump" and the dakotas and rams, both 4.7 and 5.7, are a rear sump and then you have the hemis in the cars, and they are front sump. From what I gather, so far, is that the Hemis came in three body types, DR body/Ram, HB body/Durango, LX body/Cars... I think jeeps are the same as an LX body motor, which is the cars.

Unfortunately for me, I grabbed this durango motor a little hastily and didn't see the same exact motor in the Ram form was listed $100 cheaper. And at that time, I didn't know the differences between the Durango pan and the Ram pan. So now I paid 100 more and will need to spend more for a ram pan and pick-up tube. Or mod this one.. luckily modding this one won't require any changes to the pickup tube because there is plenty of clearance inside the pan.

oooohhh. well perfect then. Thanks, After that peice there are very few things that I need to start the swap... this is happening so much faster than I expected lol.