1998 DODGE RAM 1500 Engine timing

(7) Remove access plugs (2) from left and right cyl-
inder heads for access to chain guide fasteners (Fig.
128).
(8) Remove the oil fill housing to gain access to the
right side tensioner arm fastener.
(9) Remove crankshaft damper (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/VIBRATION DAMPER -
REMOVAL) and timing chain cover (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT / CHAIN
COVER(S) - REMOVAL).
(10) Collapse and pin primary chain tensioner
(Fig. 129).CAUTION: Plate behind left secondary chain ten-
sioner could fall into oil pan. Therefore, cover pan
opening.
(11) Remove secondary chain tensioners.
(12) Remove camshaft position sensor from right
cylinder head (Fig. 130).
CAUTION: Care should be taken not to damage
camshaft target wheel. Do not hold target wheel
while loosening or tightening camshaft sprocket.
Do not place the target wheel near a magnetic
source of any kind. A damaged or magnetized tar-
get wheel could cause a vehicle no start condition.
CAUTION: Do not forcefully rotate the camshafts or
crankshaft independently of each other. Damaging
intake valve to piston contact will occur. Ensure
negative battery cable is disconnected to guard
against accidental starter engagement.
Fig. 128 Cylinder Head Access Plug Location
1 - RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD ACCESS PLUG
2 - LEFT CYLINDER HEAD ACCESS PLUG
Fig. 129 Collapsing And Pinning Primary Chain
Tensioner
1 - PRIMARY CHAIN TENSIONER
2 - ADJUSTABLE PLIERS
3 - SPECIAL TOOL 8514
Fig. 130 Camshaft Position SensorÐRemoval
1 - CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
2 - CYLINDER HEAD COVER
3 - CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
4 - RIGHT SIDE CYLINDER BLOCK
DRENGINE - 4.7L 9 - 173
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS (Continued)

(13) Remove left and right camshaft sprocket bolts.
(14) While holding the left camshaft steel tube
with adjustable pliers, (Fig. 131) remove the left
camshaft sprocket. Slowly rotate the camshaft
approximately 15 degrees clockwise to a neutral posi-
tion.
(15) While holding the right camshaft steel tube
with adjustable pliers, (Fig. 132) remove the right
camshaft sprocket. Slowly rotate the camshaft
approximately 45 degrees counterclockwise to a neu-
tral position.
(16) Remove idler sprocket assembly bolt.
(17) Slide the idler sprocket assembly and crank
sprocket forward simultaneously to remove the pri-
mary and secondary chains.
(18) Remove both pivoting tensioner arms and
chain guides.
(19) Remove chain tensioner.
INSPECTION
Inspect the following components:
²Sprockets for excessive tooth wear. Some tooth
markings are normal and not a cause for sprocket
replacement.
²Idler sprocket assembly bushing and shaft for
excessive wear.
²Idler sprocket assembly spline joint. The joint
should be tight with no backlash or axial movement.
²Chain guides and tensioner arms. Replace these
parts if grooving in plastic face is more than 1 mm
(0.039 in.) deep. If plastic face is severely grooved or
melted, the tensioner lube jet may be clogged. The
tensioner should be replaced.
²Secondary chain tensioner piston and ratcheting
device. Inspect for evidence of heavy contact between
tensioner piston and tensioner arm. If this condition
exist the tensioner and tensioner arm should be
replaced.
²Primary chain tensioner plastic faces. Replace as
required (Fig. 133).
Fig. 131 Camshaft RotationÐLeft Side
1 - CAMSHAFT SPROCKET AND CHAIN
2 - ADJUSTABLE PLIERS
3 - CAMSHAFT
Fig. 132 Camshaft RotationÐRight Side
1 - ADJUSTABLE PLIERS
2 - CAMSHAFT DOWEL
9 - 174 ENGINE - 4.7LDR
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS (Continued)

Fig. 133 Timing Chain System
1 - RIGHT CAMSHAFT SPROCKET AND SECONDARY CHAIN
2 - SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER (LEFT AND RIGHT
SIDE NOT COMMON)
3 - SECONDARY TENSIONER ARM
4 - LEFT CAMSHAFT SPROCKET AND SECONDARY CHAIN
5 - CHAIN GUIDE
6 - TWO PLATED LINKS ON RIGHT CAMSHAFT CHAIN7 - PRIMARY CHAIN
8 - IDLER SPROCKET
9 - CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET
10 - PRIMARY CHAIN TENSIONER
11 - TWO PLATED LINKS ON LEFT CAMSHAFT CHAIN
12 - SECONDARY TENSIONER ARM
DRENGINE - 4.7L 9 - 175
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS (Continued)

INSTALLATION
(1) Using a vise, lightly compress the secondary
chain tensioner piston until the piston step is flush
with the tensioner body. Using a pin or suitable tool,
release ratchet pawl by pulling pawl back against
spring force through access hole on side of tensioner.
While continuing to hold pawl back, Push ratchet
device to approximately 2 mm from the tensioner
body. Install Special Tool 8514 lock pin into hole on
front of tensioner. Slowly open vise to transfer piston
spring force to lock pin (Fig. 134).
(2) Position primary chain tensioner over oil pump
and insert bolts into lower two holes on tensioner
bracket. Tighten bolts to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.).
CAUTION: Overtightening the tensioner arm torxT
bolt can cause severe damage to the cylinder head.
Tighten torxTbolt to specified torque only.
(3) Install right side chain tensioner arm. Apply
MopartLock N, Seal to torxtbolt, tighten bolt to 17
N´m (150 in. lbs.).
NOTE: The silver bolts retain the guides to the cyl-
inder heads and the black bolts retain the guides to
the engine block.(4) Install the left side chain guide. Tighten the
bolts to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.).
CAUTION: Overtightening the tensioner arm torxT
bolt can cause severe damage to the cylinder head.
Tighten torxTbolt to specified torque only.
(5) Install left side chain tensioner arm. Apply
MopartLock N, Seal to torxtbolt, tighten bolt to 17
N´m (150 in. lbs.).
(6) Install the right side chain guide. Tighten the
bolts to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.).
(7) Install both secondary chains onto the idler
sprocket. Align two plated links on the secondary
chains to be visible through the two lower openings
on the idler sprocket (4 o'clock and 8 o'clock). Once
the secondary timing chains are installed, position
special tool 8515 to hold chains in place for installa-
tion (Fig. 135).
(8) Align primary chain double plated links with
the timing mark at 12 o'clock on the idler sprocket.
Align the primary chain single plated link with the
timing mark at 6 o'clock on the crankshaft sprocket
(Fig. 133).
Fig. 134 Resetting Secondary Chain Tensioners
1 - VISE
2 - INSERT LOCK PIN
3 - RATCHET PAWL
4 - RATCHET
5 - PISTON
Fig. 135 Installing Secondary Timing Chains on
Idler Sprocket
1 - LOCK ARM
2 - RIGHT CAMSHAFT CHAIN
3 - SECONDARY CHAINS RETAINING PINS (4)
4 - IDLER SPROCKET
5 - LEFT CAMSHAFT CHAIN
6 - SPECIAL TOOL 8515
9 - 176 ENGINE - 4.7LDR
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS (Continued)

(9) Lubricate idler shaft and bushings with clean
engine oil.
(10) Install all chains, crankshaft sprocket, and
idler sprocket as an assembly (Fig. 136). After guid-
ing both secondary chains through the block and cyl-
inder head openings, affix chains with a elastic strap
or the equivalent, This will maintain tension on
chains to aid in installation.
NOTE: It will be necessary to slightly rotate cam-
shafts for sprocket installation.
(11) Align left camshaft sprocket ªLº dot to plated
link on chain.
(12) Align right camshaft sprocket ªRº dot to
plated link on chain.
CAUTION: Remove excess oil from the camshaft
sprocket bolt. Failure to do so can result in over-
torque of bolt resulting in bolt failure.
(13) Remove Special Tool 8515, then attach both
sprockets to camshafts. Remove excess oil from bolts,
then Install sprocket bolts, but do not tighten at this
time.
(14) Verify that all plated links are aligned with
the marks on all sprockets and the ªV8º marks on
camshaft sprockets are at the 12 o'clock position (Fig.
133).
CAUTION: Ensure the plate between the left sec-
ondary chain tensioner and block is correctly
installed.(15) Install both secondary chain tensioners.
Tighten bolts to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.).
NOTE: Left and right secondary chain tensioners
are not common.
(16) Before installing idler sprocket bolt, lubricate
washer with oil, and tighten idler sprocket assembly
retaining bolt to 34 N´m (25 ft. lbs.).
(17) Remove all locking pins (3) from tensioners.
CAUTION: After pulling locking pins out of each
tensioner, DO NOT manually extend the tensioner(s)
ratchet. Doing so will over tension the chains,
resulting in noise and/or high timing chain loads.
(18) Using Special Tool 6958, Spanner with Adap-
tor Pins 8346, tighten left (Fig. 137) and right (Fig.
138). camshaft sprocket bolts to 122 N´m (90 ft. lbs.).
Fig. 136 Installing Idler Gear, Primary and
Secondary Timing Chains
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 8515
2 - PRIMARY CHAIN IDLER SPROCKET
3 - CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET
Fig. 137 Tightening Left Side Camshaft Sprocket
Bolt
1 - TORQUE WRENCH
2 - CAMSHAFT SPROCKET
3 - LEFT CYLINDER HEAD
4 - SPECIAL TOOL 6958 SPANNER WITH ADAPTER PINS 8346
DRENGINE - 4.7L 9 - 177
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS (Continued)

(19) Rotate engine two full revolutions. Verify tim-
ing marks are at the follow locations:
²primary chain idler sprocket dot is at 12 o'clock
(Fig. 133)
²primary chain crankshaft sprocket dot is at 6
o'clock (Fig. 133)
²secondary chain camshaft sprockets ªV8º marks
are at 12 o'clock (Fig. 133)
(20) Lubricate all three chains with engine oil.
(21) After installing all chains, it is recommended
that the idler gear end play be checked (Fig. 139).
The end play must be within 0.10±0.25 mm (0.004±
0.010 in.). If not within specification, the idler gear
must be replaced.
(22) Install timing chain cover (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT / CHAIN
COVER(S) - INSTALLATION) and crankshaft
damper (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/VI-
BRATION DAMPER - INSTALLATION).
(23) Install cylinder head covers (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD/CYLINDER HEAD
COVER(S) - INSTALLATION).NOTE: Before installing threaded plug in right cylin-
der head, the plug must be coated with sealant to
prevent leaks.
(24) Coat the large threaded access plug with
MopartThread Sealant with Teflon, then install
into the right cylinder head and tighten to 81 N´m
(60 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 128).
(25) Install the oil fill housing.
(26) Install access plug in left cylinder head (Fig.
128).
(27) Install power steering pump (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/PUMP - INSTALLATION).
(28) Install radiator fan shroud.
(29) Fill cooling system (Refer to 7 - COOLING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(30) Connect negative cable to battery.
Fig. 138 Tightening Right Side Camshaft Sprocket
Bolt
1 - TORQUE WRENCH
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 6958 WITH ADAPTER PINS 8346
3 - LEFT CAMSHAFT SPROCKET
4 - RIGHT CAMSHAFT SPROCKETFig. 139 Measuring Idler Gear End Play
1 - IDLER SPROCKET ASSEMBLY
2 - DIAL INDICATOR
9 - 178 ENGINE - 4.7LDR
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS (Continued)

IDLER SHAFT
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the primary and secondary timing
chains and sprockets (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE
TIMING/TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS -
REMOVAL).
NOTE: To remove the idler shaft, it is necessary to
tap threads into the shaft, to install the removal
tool.
(2) Using a 12 mm X 1.75 tap, cut threads in the
idler shaft center bore.
(3) Cover the radiator core with a suitable cover.
CAUTION: Use care when removing the idler shaft,
Do not strike the radiator cooling fins with the slide
hammer.
(4) Using Special Tool 8517 Slide Hammer, remove
the idler shaft.
INSTALLATION
(1) Thoroughly clean the idler shaft bore.
(2) Position the idler shaft in the bore.
NOTE: The two lubrication holes in the idler shaft
do not require any special alignment.
NOTE: Before using the retaining bolt to install the
idler shaft, coat the threads and the pilot on the
idler shaft, with clean engine oil.
(3) Using the primary idler sprocket retaining bolt
and washer, carefully draw the idler shaft into the
bore until fully seated.
(4) Coat the idler shaft with clean engine oil.
(5) Install the timing chains and sprockets (Refer
to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT/
CHAIN AND SPROCKETS - INSTALLATION).
DRENGINE - 4.7L 9 - 179

STANDARD PROCEDUREÐPISTON FITTING . 211
REMOVAL............................212
CLEANING...........................212
INSPECTION.........................213
INSTALLATION........................213
PISTON RINGS
STANDARD PROCEDURE - PISTON RING
FITTING............................213
VIBRATION DAMPER
REMOVAL............................215
INSTALLATION........................215
STRUCTURAL COVER
DESCRIPTION........................216
OPERATION..........................216
REMOVAL............................216
INSTALLATION........................216
FRONT MOUNT
REMOVAL............................217
INSTALLATION........................218
REAR MOUNT
REMOVAL............................220
INSTALLATION........................220
LUBRICATION
DESCRIPTION........................220
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CHECKING
ENGINE OIL PRESSURE...............220
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE OIL
LEAK..............................220
OIL
STANDARD PROCEDURE - ENGINE OIL
SERVICE...........................222
OIL FILTER
REMOVAL............................223INSTALLATION........................223
OIL PAN
REMOVAL............................224
INSTALLATION........................224
OIL PUMP
REMOVAL............................224
CLEANING...........................224
INSPECTION.........................224
INSTALLATION........................225
INTAKE MANIFOLD
DESCRIPTION........................225
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - INTAKE
MANIFOLD LEAKAGE.................225
REMOVAL............................226
CLEANING...........................226
INSPECTION.........................226
INSTALLATION........................226
EXHAUST MANIFOLD
DESCRIPTION........................226
OPERATION..........................226
REMOVAL............................226
CLEANING...........................226
INSPECTION.........................227
INSTALLATION........................227
TIMING/CHAIN COVER
REMOVAL............................227
INSTALLATION........................227
TIMING/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS
REMOVAL............................228
INSTALLATION........................228
TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER
DESCRIPTION........................229
OPERATION..........................229
DRENGINE - 5.7L 9 - 181