Hi
I just bought a 2002 Ram regular cab short bed 2wd. The truck is nice but the engine is messed up pretty bad. It has metal clanging in the front of the motor like a bolt flopping around in the timing chain area.
I have read that this engine can have some major issues and was wondering if it might be worth a swap for a different engine that's less prone to damages?
Like I said, the truck is nice and I got it cheap ($500)

Any ideas? No used 3.7 motors close and rebuilt ones are $2700 and up.

Thanks for any help

 

Look it over, see if you can find something obvious. How's oil pressure? Does it run hot?
Check the fan area. Loose hardware.

 

Oil pressure is fine. I took the belt off to eliminate any of the accessories. The noise sounds like it's around the timing chains area. I dont want to run it very long for fear of breaking more.

 

Crack it open and find out. Could be as simple as a tensioner broke. Pretty common with higher mileage Chrysler OHC engines.

The 3.7 and 4.7 are actually pretty stout - UNLESS THEY OVERHEAT, doesn't take much of an overheat to toast one...

 

I was getting ready to pull the motor and a guy came and offered me $1200 so I sold it.
Im not much of a mechanic on trucks with an ecm, but I'm pretty good with the mechanical aspects.
Thanks for the timely replys guys.