Hello everyone, i'm new around here and new to diesels in general. Just a few quick ???'s that i hope you can answer about a 97 3500 2wd. I have read about that pin in the front cover that work it's way out and croaks your engine, the so called Killer pin or something, is it a problem on the 97's or was that an earlier thing?? If it is a problem how do i check to see if it's been fixed??? Also whats up with the "53" brazillian blocks i remember reading something about avoiding them somewhere. Anything else i should look at on this truck before i sign the papers??
Scott
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Welcome!! I think Diesel Demon or Drew could probably answer that best for ya but DD is layed up from surgery on his fingers or something.

 

Looks like i answered some of my questions with a few more hours of scouring the net. Brazillian blocks?? not a problem in 97, and even if they were it isn't unfixable if you keep an eye on it. KDP a big problem that needs to be addressed ASAP. Still wondering on ways to tell if it's been remedied without diasassembling anything major, as i doubt the previous owner knows. As well as what to look for if it has gone and the damage doesn't stick out like a sore thumb...the truck is a bit of a deal.
Thanks for any and all responses
Scott
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your refering to the KDP. . .the Killer Dowel Pin. . .what it is is just an aligning pin that is used when putting the front cover on. you can do one of two things.

1. you can drill through the top of the block just behind the front cover to the pin, thread the hole and put a bolt in it to hold it in place. . .or you can pull the front over off and use the bolt hole next to it and a washer to hold it in place. . .

is it an issue that needs to be addressed. . yup, it can and will kill the engine and you wont even know it till you find a gallon of oil on the driveway.

 

Any suggestions on where to find a writeup on fixing the KDP preferrable with some pics???
Scott
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[quote]ORIGINAL: Drew

your refering to the KDP. . .the Killer Dowel Pin. . .what it is is just an aligning pin that is used when putting the front cover on. you can do one of two things.

Drew,
Do you have any data as to what % of the trucks will suffer a failure of the KDP. I have been talking to several local shops and the % is said to be less than 1%, and usually in the older trucks, 1994-1996. One of the local diesel shops believes it is less than 1% as they have only seen one failure over the past 10 years, out of several hundred CTD (1994-1998).

Is there any good statistical data out there on this subject?

Ralph