Am I on my own here?

 

My suggestion is to get or find a 02 Service Manual and do some reading. Not many guys here have an 02 and even fewer have a 3.7 from any year. Its just not a popular combination

 

I have the 02 service manual. I am curious, if this thing was off a tooth on the timing, would I get a code for that? The tech at the dealership suspected the timing was off maybe. He said if I unhooked the cms, and tried to start it, if it started the timing was off, if not, then the timing is good. I tried for quite a while to start it like that and it wouldn't. So per his suggestion, I replaced the cms, which only fixed my tach. I'm not happy about starting to throw parts aimlessly at this thing, especially after all I put in the engine. I guess my next step is to put it on a trailer, and get some diagnostics done somewhere.

 

With the timing off by one tooth I dont think you will get codes for each coil. When I did my first cam I was a tooth off and I didnt get any codes like that. I did get a random misfire code but it was not pointing to one or several coils.

 

Took the valve covers off tonight, and turns out that the passenger side (right) cam was a tooth off. Fixed that, but now I'm really nervous, I started it up and it ran great, idled like it should, no check engine lights, but now I have a knock coming from the right valve cover. The tach still doesn't work, and for some reason my oil pressure is dropping to zero after about 10 seconds of running, but when I start it up it goes back to normal, then again after 10 seconds it drops. Not sure if I'm going to be able to sleep tonight.

 

With the valve cover off, it's a definite rattle, not a knock. The piston didn't push the tensioner back up against the chain after I pulled the wedge out, letting the chain vibrate. I had to quit after I found the problem to go out with my wife, I just couldn't have a good evening not knowing what the problem was. I'm still wondering why I'm losing oil pressure though. The piston is sticking out about 3/8", so not over or under extended. I didn't run it long enough this time to see if it was still losing oil pressure.

 

Well, I made a tool that reaches down in there to move the piston up one notch, and that took care of the rattle (I was under the impression the oil pressure would have done that for me, but I guess not). Replaced the oil pressure sensor, and no problems there since. Took it out for a 20 min drive, after setting the rings this morning, and it works great! Thanks to all those who gave input.

 

Great job. But next time take pics of everything and post it so you might help the next person out. Im guessing a 3.7 is built like a 4.7 with the cams on top?

 

I did take pics, just didn't think anyone would be interested in seeing them (it's just an engine), but I can post them if you'd like. As far as I've read, the 3.7 is the same as the 4.7 (minus 2 cy.). Thanks again for your input! It probably would be good if I atleast posted the pic of what cause the downfall of the engine in the first place (a small casting defect in the head).