HI all...

I am in a real pickle. I need some infomation about our transmissions. I have the 3-speed mated to the V6.

Here is what has happened. I went to a transmission guy at a transmission only shop and he stated he rebuilt my transmission. Then the van progressively ran worse and worse. I took it to another guy, who I thought I could trust, to diagnose it. The van before all of the crap happened would sputter and spit off the start. Then after that all I would get is misfire code in cyliner 4. The check engine light would come on. I would reset it, tried plugs, wires, o2 sensors etc, still the same light.
So I gave it to him and he tried to diagnose it. He first started with the pickup coil in the distributor. He gave it back to me, said it was cool, and the code came back. Took it back to him again and he tried a plethera of things - swapping parts for old parts, injectors etc etc. They he started to fixate on the CPS. He said that the CPS was too far from the torque converter, so that why I was getting misfire. So he tried a few washers and bent brackets and got it to a point he was comfortable with.
He gave it back to me and I drove 1 mile and 0304 came back. The freakin same code again.
So I took it back to him and he said after a long period of diagnosis (1 week) that it needed new heads. So I said OK and he put on new heads.
Great right...well no....then I got code 0420. So we put a brand new cat converter on it.
The codes -- they are all gone but it runs with less power now. It feels like it lost 20 HP. Also I have a tick. He is now fixating on the CPS again and is not trying to blame the transmission guy that he put a different torque converter, flywheel or wrong transmission in it. I went back to the transmission guy and he swears that everything is 100% correct.
So I go back to the guy who did the heads and he is trying to get the CPS, which now seems like is riding on the flywheel, back to the right position. I can feel the CPS ticking, and he had me check it out, but I really am perplexed. When I took it back to the transmission guy we could hear a vavle ticking inside the head. Let me explain what this sounds like. You can't hear the tick when you are outside the van. Just the inside, and when you have everything off, like the air and radio, it is really noticeable. The sound is only heard from the drivers side. It really sounds like a vavle to me, but could the CPS make enough of a ticking noise to be as loud as pen on a table? That is what it sounds like inside the van.
He wants to work on it again to fix the CPS. I mean, he has had my van for 30 days in the past two months. I am really frustrated and ready to give up on this van.

Also is there any differences in the 3-speed transmissions? Could I have really gotten a Jeep version and not a Van version?

If anyone wants to buy are really nice Elk Conversion, no rust at all, 115k miles, new transmission, new speakers, digital tv, all new AC system, new cap, coil, wires, platinum plugs, flushed coolant, new ball joints, new shocks, new wheel bearings, 4-wheel alignment, new idler arms and tie rod ends, new fuel pump, new cat, NEW HEADS and all the gaskets that go along with that job, cleaned and detailed, new paint on high top fiberglass, good tires, -- let me know. Ill let it go for 5k. I've got receipts for all...and title in hand

It is really too bad. I always wanted a conversion van my whole driving life. I finally got one and it has turned out to be the worst vehicle experience I have ever had. If you want to buy it, send me a PM
I'm done.

 

Have you considered the possibility that the ticking you're hearing is an exhaust leak, and not a valve?

 

nope...it isn't

I went to the head shop today and yes both heads are clicking and clacking.
I paid 1G for the new heads and a shop to install them...I've been getting the run around for a month now. I am just freakking pizzed that they won't man up. I found out that the tranny thing he is talking about is basically BS too.

The only good thing is the head shop will exchange the heads out if I need to.

What could have this shop done to the heads? What was installed wrong? Any ideas?

I gotta say this really sucks. First time in my life something like this has happened to me...Looks like Im going to be out $500...

 

Small claims court is your friend.

 

And the head shop says they are fine? or not? It only sounds like the rockers are loose (and if they aren't, well it might be more serious). These stories are exactly why I won't let anyone touch my vehicles except for me but, ok, not everyone is a mechanic.

I would pick a random third party shop. Go in and explain everything you have had done and get them to inspect it and give you their opinion in writing. You'll need this for court anyway should you choose to go that route.

From what you have described the issue has nothing to do with the transmission or the crank pickup. Loose rockers, wrong rockers, bent or incorrect pushrods all correspond with the ticking sound and lost engine power.

 

They head shop says something is wrong...what they cant say unless I pull the heads. The tech there thinks he didn't bleed down the lifters before he installed them.

So I had to doublecheck -- I went out there today and re-torqued the rockers. It now even clickly clacks even more. I am thinking the guy at the head shop is right. Something is wrong with the lifters..or rods..

I am going to call the unethical shop tomorrow and see what they say. I think I am just going to have to do this job myself. If I do, I am buying new lifters, rods and roller rockers. I've done heads before, and probably should do 'em myself.

Thanks alloro and Mr. Blackvan....Ill see what I can do.

If I do remove the heads, is there anything weird other than the standard crap...

 

You shouldn't need to pull the heads to install lifters,pushrods, rockers. But at this point I can understand wanting the machine shop to check them for damage. Nothing special about installing these heads that I am aware of.

I think you are on the right track now. If the rockers were installed using a powerful air ratchet or (god forbid) impact wrench, the lifters don't have time to bleed down. This step should always be done by hand, very slowly! and in several stages in order to allow the lifters time to adjust.

I love my HS roller rockers. Be sure to soak them in cam break-in oil overnight before installing them.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-r...r-upgrade.html

 

Thanks for the info!

As I remember, I can get to the lifters via taking the intake off, right?

 

Correct, just need to remove the intake and the valve covers for this job.