1998 DODGE RAM 1500 Over drive

IDLER SHAFT
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the primary and secondary timing
chains and sprockets. Refer to procedure in this sec-
tion.
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 procedure in this section.
TIMING BELT / CHAIN
COVER(S)
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the battery negative cable.
(2) Drain cooling system (Refer to 7 - COOLING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(3) Remove electric cooling fan and fan shroud
assembly.
(4) Remove fan and fan drive assembly (Refer to 7
- COOLING/ENGINE/FAN DRIVE VISCOUS
CLUTCH - REMOVAL).
(5) Disconnect both heater hoses at timing cover.
(6) Disconnect lower radiator hose at engine.(7) Remove accessory drive belt tensioner assembly
(Fig. 103).
(8) Remove crankshaft damper (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/VIBRATION DAMPER -
REMOVAL).
(9) Remove the generator (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/CHARGING/GENERATOR - REMOVAL).
(10) Remove A/C compressor (Refer to 24 - HEAT-
ING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/A/C COM-
PRESSOR - REMOVAL).
CAUTION: The 3.7L engine uses an anerobic sealer
instead of a gasket to seal the front cover to the
engine block, from the factory. For service, MoparT
Engine RTV sealant must be substituted.
NOTE: It is not necessary to remove the water
pump for timing cover removal.
(11) Remove the bolts holding the timing cover to
engine block (Fig. 104).
(12) Remove the timing cover.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Do not use oil based liquids to clean tim-
ing cover or block surfaces. Use only rubbing alco-
hol, along with plastic or wooden scrapers. Use no
wire brushes or abrasive wheels or metal scrapers,
or damage to surfaces could result.
Fig. 103 ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT TENSIONER
1 - TENSIONER ASSEMBLY
2 - FASTENER TENSIONER TO FRONT COVER
DRENGINE - 3.7L 9 - 81

(1) Clean timing chain cover and block surface
using rubbing alcohol.
CAUTION: The 3.7L uses a special anerobic sealer
instead of a gasket to seal the timing cover to the
engine block, from the factory. For service repairs,
MoparTEngine RTV must be used as a substitute.
(2) Inspect the water passage o-rings for any dam-
age, and replace as necessary.
(3) Apply MopartEngine RTV sealer to front cover
following the path below usinga3to4mmthick
bead (Fig. 105).
(4) Install cover. Tighten fasteners in sequence as
shown in to 58 N´m (43 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 106).
(5) Install crankshaft damper (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/VIBRATION DAMPER -
INSTALLATION).
(6) Install the A/C compressor (Refer to 24 - HEAT-
ING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/A/C COM-
PRESSOR - INSTALLATION).
(7) Install the generator (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/CHARGING/GENERATOR - INSTALLATION).
(8) Install accessory drive belt tensioner assembly
(Refer to 7 - COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/BELT
TENSIONERS - INSTALLATION).
(9) Install radiator upper and lower hoses.
(10) Install both heater hoses.
(11) Install electric fan shroud and viscous fan
drive assembly (Refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/FAN
DRIVE VISCOUS CLUTCH - INSTALLATION).
(12) Fill cooling system (Refer to 7 - COOLING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(13) Connect the battery negative cable.
Fig. 104 TIMING CHAIN COVER FASTENERS
Fig. 105 TIMING COVER SEALANT
1 - TIMING CHAIN COVER
2 - WATER PASSAGE ORING
3 - MOPARTENGINE RTV SEALER
Fig. 106 TIMING CHAIN COVER FASTENERS
9 - 82 ENGINE - 3.7LDR
TIMING BELT / CHAIN COVER(S) (Continued)

²Primary chain tensioner plastic faces. Replace as
required.
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 (Fig. 111). Slowly open vise to
transfer piston spring force to lock pin.
(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.).
(3) Install right side chain tensioner arm. Install
Torxtbolt. Tighten Torxtbolt to 28 N´m (250 in.
lbs.).
CAUTION: The silver bolts retain the guides to the
cylinder 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.).(5) Install left side chain tensioner arm, and Torxt
bolt. Tighten Torxtbolt to 28 N´m (250 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 8429 to hold chains in place for installa-
tion.
(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.
(9) Lubricate idler shaft and bushings with clean
engine oil.
NOTE: The idler sprocket must be timed to the
counterbalance shaft drive gear before the idler
sprocket is fully seated.
(10) Install all chains, crankshaft sprocket, and
idler sprocket as an assembly (Fig. 112). After guid-
ing both secondary chains through the block and cyl-
inder head openings, affix chains with a elastic strap
or equivalent. This will maintain tension on chains to
aid in installation. Align the timing mark on the
idler sprocket gear to the timing mark on the coun-
terbalance shaft drive gear, then seat idler sprocket
fully (Fig. 113). Before installing idler sprocket bolt,
lubricate washer with oil, and tighten idler sprocket
assembly retaining bolt to 34 N´m (25 ft. lbs.).
Fig. 111 RESETTING SECONDARY CHAIN
TENSIONERS
1 - VISE
2 - INSERT LOCK PIN
3 - RATCHET PAWL
4 - RATCHET
5 - PISTON
Fig. 112 INSTALLING IDLER GEAR, PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 8515
2 - PRIMARY CHAIN IDLER SPROCKET
3 - CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET
DRENGINE - 3.7L 9 - 85
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS (Continued)

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 8429, 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 ªV6º marks on
camshaft sprockets are at the 12 o'clock position.
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) 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.
(17) Using Special Tool 6958, Spanner with Adap-
tor Pins 8346, tighten left (Fig. 114) and right (Fig.
115). camshaft sprocket bolts to 122 N´m (90 ft. lbs.).
(18) Rotate engine two full revolutions. Verify tim-
ing marks are at the follow locations:
²primary chain idler sprocket dot is at 12 o'clock
²primary chain crankshaft sprocket dot is at 6
o'clock
²secondary chain camshaft sprockets ªV6º marks
are at 12 o'clock
²counterbalancer shaft drive gear dot is aligned
to the idler sprocket gear dot
(19) Lubricate all three chains with engine oil.
(20) After installing all chains, it is recommended
that the idler gear end play be checked. The end play
Fig. 113 COUNTERBALANCE SHAFT ALIGNMENT
MARKS
1 - COUNTERBALANCE SHAFT GEAR
2 - TIMING MARK
3 - IDLER SPROCKET GEAR
Fig. 114 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
9 - 86 ENGINE - 3.7LDR
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS (Continued)

CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - REAR
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - REAR SEAL
AREA LEAKS........................137
REMOVAL............................137
INSTALLATION........................138
FLEX PLATE
REMOVAL............................138
INSTALLATION........................138
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD
DESCRIPTION........................139
STANDARD PROCEDURE - PISTON FITTING . 139
REMOVAL............................139
CLEANING...........................140
INSPECTION.........................140
INSTALLATION........................140
PISTON RINGS
STANDARD PROCEDURE - PISTON RING
FITTING............................142
VIBRATION DAMPER
REMOVAL............................144
INSTALLATION........................144
STRUCTURAL COVER
DESCRIPTION........................145
OPERATION..........................145
REMOVAL............................145
INSTALLATION........................145
FRONT MOUNT
REMOVAL............................146
INSTALLATION........................147
REAR MOUNT
REMOVAL............................149
INSTALLATION........................149
LUBRICATION
DESCRIPTION........................150
OPERATION..........................150
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CHECKING
ENGINE OIL PRESSURE...............152
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE OIL
LEAK..............................152
OIL
STANDARD PROCEDURE - ENGINE OIL
SERVICE...........................153
OIL FILTER
REMOVAL............................154
INSTALLATION........................155
OIL PAN
REMOVAL............................155
INSTALLATION........................155OIL PRESSURE SENSOR/SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION.......................156
DESCRIPTION.......................156
OPERATION
OPERATION........................156
OPERATION........................156
REMOVAL............................156
INSTALLATION........................156
OIL PUMP
REMOVAL............................156
DISASSEMBLY........................157
CLEANING...........................157
INSPECTION.........................157
ASSEMBLY...........................158
INSTALLATION........................159
INTAKE MANIFOLD
DESCRIPTION........................159
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTINGÐINTAKE
MANIFOLD LEAKAGE.................159
REMOVAL............................159
CLEANING...........................160
INSPECTION.........................160
INSTALLATION........................160
EXHAUST MANIFOLD
DESCRIPTION........................161
REMOVAL............................161
CLEANING...........................163
INSPECTION.........................163
INSTALLATION........................164
VALVE TIMING
DESCRIPTIONÐTIMING DRIVE SYSTEM....166
OPERATION - TIMING DRIVE SYSTEM.....166
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDUREÐMEASURING
TIMING CHAIN WEAR.................167
STANDARD PROCEDURE - ENGINE TIMING
- VERIFICATION.....................167
TIMING BELT / CHAIN COVER(S)
REMOVAL............................170
INSTALLATION........................171
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS
REMOVAL............................172
INSPECTION.........................174
INSTALLATION........................176
IDLER SHAFT
REMOVAL............................179
INSTALLATION........................179
DRENGINE - 4.7L 9 - 89

(19) Disconnect throttle and speed control cables.
(20) Disconnect tube from both the left and right
side crankcase breathers (Fig. 2). Remove breathers
(21) Discharge A/C system (Refer to 24 - HEAT-
ING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/REFRIG-
ERANT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(22) Remove A/C compressor (Refer to 24 - HEAT-
ING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/A/C COM-
PRESSOR - REMOVAL).
(23) Remove shroud, fan assembly (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ENGINE/FAN DRIVE VISCOUS
CLUTCH - REMOVAL) and accessory drive belt
(Refer to 7 - COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE
BELTS - REMOVAL).
(24) Disconnect transmission oil cooler lines at the
radiator.
(25) Disconnect radiator upper and lower hoses.
(26) Remove radiator (Refer to 7 - COOLING/EN-
GINE/RADIATOR - REMOVAL), A/C condenser
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING/A/C CONDENSER - REMOVAL) and
transmission oil cooler.
(27) Remove generator (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
CHARGING/GENERATOR - REMOVAL).
(28) Disconnect the two heater hoses from the tim-
ing chain cover and heater core.
(29) Unclip and remove heater hoses and tubes
from the intake manifold.
(30) Disconnect engine harness at the following
points :
²Intake air temperature (IAT) sensor (Fig. 3)
²Fuel Injectors
²Throttle Position (TPS) Switch
²Idle Air Control (IAC) Motor
²Engine Oil Pressure Switch
²Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor
²Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) Sensor
²Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor
²Coil Over Plugs(31) Disconnect the vacuum lines at the throttle
body and intake manifold.
(32) Release fuel rail pressure (Refer to 14 - FUEL
SYSTEM/FUEL DELIVERY - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE) then disconnect the fuel supply quick connect
fitting at the fuel rail (Refer to 14 - FUEL SYSTEM/
FUEL DELIVERY/QUICK CONNECT FITTING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(33) Remove power steering pump and position out
of the way.
(34) Install Special Tools 8400 Lifting Studs, into
the cylinder heads.
(35) Install Engine Lifting Fixture Special Tool
8347 (Fig. 4) following these steps.
²Holding the lifting fixture at a slight angle, slide
the large bore in the front plate over the hex portion
of the lifting stud.
²Position the two remaining fixture arms onto
the two Special Tools 8400 Lifting Studs, in the cyl-
inder heads.
²Pull foward and upward on the lifting fixture so
that the lifting stud rest in the slotted area below the
large bore.
Fig. 2 Crankcase Breather Connection Points
1 - CRANKCASE BREATHERS
Fig. 3 Throttle Body Connection Points
1 - THROTTLE BODY
2 - TPS
3 - IAC MOTOR
4 - IAT SENSOR
5 - MOUNTING SCREWS
9 - 96 ENGINE - 4.7LDR
ENGINE - 4.7L (Continued)

Position both the left and right side engine mount
brackets and install the through bolts and nuts.
Tighten nuts to4X2 vehicles95 N´m (70 ft. lbs.).
4X4 vehicles102 N´m (75 ft. lbs.).
(2)4X4 vehiclesInstall locknuts onto the engine
mount brackets. Tighten locknuts to 41 N´m (30 ft.
lbs.).
(3) Remove jack from under the transmission.
(4) Remove Engine Lifting Fixture Special Tool
8347 (Fig. 4).
(5) Remove Special Tools 8400 Lifting Studs.
(6) Position generator wiring behind the oil dip-
stick tube, then install the oil dipstick tube upper
mounting bolt.
(7) Connect both left and right side body ground
straps.
(8) Install power steering pump.
(9) Connect fuel supply line quick connect fitting
(Refer to 14 - FUEL SYSTEM/FUEL DELIVERY/
QUICK CONNECT FITTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
(10) Connect the vacuum lines at the throttle body
and intake manifold.
(11) Connect engine harness at the following
points (Fig. 3):
²Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor
²Idle Air Control (IAC) Motor
²Fuel Injectors
²Throttle Position (TPS) Switch
²Engine Oil Pressure Switch
²Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor
²Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor
²Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor
²Coil Over Plugs
(12) Position and install heater hoses and tubes
onto intake manifold.
(13) Install the heater hoses onto the heater core
and the engine front cover.
(14) Install generator (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
CHARGING/GENERATOR - INSTALLATION).
(15) Install A/C condenser (Refer to 24 - HEATING
& AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/A/C CON-
DENSER - INSTALLATION), radiator (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ENGINE/RADIATOR - INSTALLATION)
and transmission oil cooler.
(16) Connect radiator upper and lower hoses.
(17) Connect the transmission oil cooler lines to
the radiator.
(18) Install accessory drive belt (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -INSTALLATION), fan assembly and shroud (Refer to
7 - COOLING/ENGINE/FAN DRIVE VISCOUS
CLUTCH - INSTALLATION).
(19) Install A/C compressor (Refer to 24 - HEAT-
ING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/A/C COM-
PRESSOR - INSTALLATION).
(20) Install both breathers. Connect tube to both
crankcase breathers (Fig. 2).
(21) Connect throttle and speed control cables.
(22) Install throttle body resonator assembly and
air inlet hose. Tighten clamps 4 N´m (35 in. lbs.).
(23) Raise vehicle.
(24) Install transmission to engine mounting bolts.
Tighten the bolts to 41 N´m (30 ft. lbs.).
(25) Install torque converter bolts (Automatic
Transmission Only).
(26) Connect crankshaft position sensor (Fig. 1).
(27)4X4 vehiclesPosition and install the axle
isolator bracket onto the axle, transmission and
engine block. Tighten bolts to specification (Refer to 9
- ENGINE - SPECIFICATIONS).
(28) Install starter (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
STARTING/STARTER MOTOR - INSTALLATION).
CAUTION: The structural cover requires a specific
torque sequence. Failure to follow this sequence
may cause severe damage to the cover.
(29) Install structural cover (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
ENGINE BLOCK/STRUCTURAL COVER - INSTAL-
LATION).
(30) Install exhaust crossover pipe.
(31) Install engine block heater power cable, If
equipped.
(32)4X4 vehiclesConnect axle vent tube to left
side engine mount.
(33) Lower vehicle.
(34) Check and fill engine oil.
(35) Recharge the A/C system (Refer to 24 - HEAT-
ING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/REFRIG-
ERANT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(36) Refill the engine cooling system (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(37) Install the battery tray and battery.
(38) Connect the battery positive and negative
cables.
(39) Start the engine and check for leaks.
9 - 98 ENGINE - 4.7LDR
ENGINE - 4.7L (Continued)

DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. In.
Lbs. Lbs.
Pin Bolt 17 Ð 150
Hydraulic TensionerÐBolts 28 Ð 250
Timing Chain Primary
TensionerÐBolts28 Ð 250
Timing Drive Idler SprocketÐ
Bolt34 25 Ð
Thermostat HousingÐBolts 13 Ð 115
Water PumpÐBolts 58 43 Ð
SPECIAL TOOLS
4.7L ENGINE
Spanner Wrench 6958
Adapter Pins 8346
Engine Lifting Studs 8400
Engine Lift Fixture 8347
Front Crankshaft Seal Remover 8511
Front Crankshaft Seal Installer 8348
Handle C-4171
DRENGINE - 4.7L 9 - 103
ENGINE - 4.7L (Continued)