2001 dodge ram van 1500 5.2L with 96k miles.
Learned as much as i could already reading around here and watching YouTube (although good luck on ram van vs ram truck guides, van is non existent usually)
Thinking about doing timing chain while waiting for new radiator and since it seems i may have to pull off oil pan maybe I'll fix rear crankshaft seal leak.

Although if i can avoid it since its a pain to drop the oil pan due to clearance and needed to jack up the motor.
Think i could replace the oil pan gasket easy enough without dropping pan all the way when doing the timing chain? Also worrying about cleaning off old gasket and crud getting into pan. Could slide a piece of cardboard in between but that only helps carch for engine side crud obviously not pan side.

Also advice on which timing chain of getting.
Heard cloyes are good and double roller of course.

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Do i have to worry about timing adjustment with this part because of its adjustability? Is it going to be confusing how to do it with it being adjustable? I never done a timing chain or belt on any vehicle.
Rather not mess with timing at all and leave it stock.
Also it looks like no tensioner in the 5.2L if im correct?

 

This is my shopping cart so far. Should be everything i need minus oil and filter.
If anything im missing or recommend let me know please.
I did do water pump, thermostat, temp sensor and fan clutch a few years ago.


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I don't think you'll end up with enough room if you don't physically remove the oil pan from the van, and you may end up leaking worse than it is now...... and I highly doubt you would have access to the rear main seal without removing the pan..... Bite the bullet, lift the motor, pull the pan.

 

Perhaps i didn't clarify well enough.
I know i won't be able to do rear seal without removing pan but will i be able to change timing chain and replace oil pan gasket without removing pan fully and not worry about debris?
If so, I'll just leave leak alone. However if i do need to remove pan to do chain and gasket, I'll do rear seal also.

 

Take the timingchain kit WITH tensioner (upgrade)!

 

Correct me if im wrong, i can use the 3.9L timing chain tensioners on the 5.2L?
What actually benefit would this bring?
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Oh nevermind! There is no tensioner kit for that 5.2 or 5.8 :-o Sorry! :-)

 

I didn't drop the pan on my truck when I did my timing chain and gears. I stuff some rags into the exposed part of the pan while cleaning the gasket surfaces. That, and changed the oil as well.

 

Alright, I'll attempt to do it that way. Thanks HeyYou.
Just concerned about old oil pan gasket leaking where timing cover seats.

 

Just gotta be real careful on that gasket. and keep in mind there are alignment dowels on the cover/block, so, even with all the bolts out, the cover still hangs on fairly tight. I broke it loose at the top first, and carefully eased it forward to get it off the oil pan gasket.... and even then, the gasket still tore.... I used a bit of RTV on reassembly, and it didn't leak, so, I was satisfied.