Page 1523 of 5267

CAMSHAFT
DESCRIPTION
The camshafts consist of powdered metal steel lobes which are sinter-bonded to a steel tube. Four bearing journals
are machined into the camshaft. Camshaft end play is controlled by two thrust walls that border the nose piece
journal.
REMOVAL
CAUTION: When the timing chain is removed and the cylinder heads are still installed, DO NOT forcefully
rotate the camshafts or crankshaft independently of each other. Severe valve and/or piston damage can
occur.
CAUTION: When removing the cam sprocket, timing chains or camshaft, Failure to use Special Tool 8379
will result in hydraulic tensioner ratchet over extension, requiring timing chain cover removal to reset the
tensioner ratchet.
1. Remove cylinder head cover (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD/CYLINDERHEAD COVER(S) -
REMOVAL).
2. Set engine to TDC cylinder #1, camshaft sprocket
V6 marks at the 12 o’clock position.
3. Mark one link on the secondary timing chain on
both sides of the V6 mark on the camshaft
sprocket to aid in installation.
CAUTION: Do not hold or pry on the camshaft tar-
get wheel (Located on the right side camshaft
sprocket) for any reason, Severe damage will
occur to the target wheel resulting in a vehicle no
start condition.
4. Loosen butDO NOTremove the camshaft sprocket
retaining bolt. Leave the bolt snug against the
sprocket.
NOTE: The timing chain tensioners must be
secured prior to removing the camshaft sprockets.
Failure to secure tensioners will allow the tension-
erstoextend,requiringtimingchaincover
removal in order to reset tensioners.
CAUTION: Do not force wedge past the narrowest point between the chain strands. Damage to the tension-
ers may occur.
5. Position Special Tool 8379 timing chain wedge between the timing chain strands, tap the tool to securely wedge
the timing chain against the tensioner arm and guide.
Page 1524 of 5267

6. Hold the camshaft with Special Tool 8428 Camshaft
Wrench , while removing the camshaft sprocket
bolt and sprocket.
7. Using Special Tool 8428 Camshaft Wrench, gently
allow the camshaft to rotate 5° clockwise until the
camshaft is in the neutral position (no valve load).
8. Starting at the outside working inward, loosen the
camshaft bearing cap retaining bolts 1/2 turn at a
time. Repeat until all load is off the bearing caps.
CAUTION: DO NOT STAMP OR STRIKE THE CAM-
SHAFT BEARING CAPS. SEVERE DAMAGE WILL
OCCUR TO THE BEARING CAPS.
NOTE: When the camshaft is removed the rocker
arms may slide downward, mark the rocker arms
before removing camshaft.
9. Remove the camshaft bearing caps and the
camshaft.
INSTALLATION
1. Lubricate camshaft journals with clean engine oil.
NOTE: Position the left side camshaft so that the
camshaft sprocket dowel is near the 1 o’clock
position, This will place the camshaft at the neu-
tral position easing the installation of the camshaft
bearing caps.
2. Position the camshaft into the cylinder head.
3. Install the camshaft bearing caps, hand tighten the
retaining bolts.
NOTE: Caps should be installed so that the
stamped numbers on the caps are in numerical
order, ( 1 thru 4 ) from the front to the rear of the
engine. All caps should be installed so that the
stamped arrows on the caps point toward the front
of the engine.
4. Working in 1/2 turn increments, tighten the bearing
cap retaining bolts starting with the middle cap
working outward.
5. Torque the camshaft bearing cap retaining bolts to
11 N ꞏm ( 1 0 0 i n . l b s . ) .
6. Position the camshaft drive gear into the timing chain aligning the V6 mark between the two marked chain links
(Two links marked during removal).
7. Using Special Tool 8428 Camshaft Wrench, rotate the camshaft until the camshaft sprocket dowel is aligned with
the slot in the camshaft sprocket. Install the sprocket onto the camshaft.
CAUTION: Remove excess oil from camshaft sprocket bolt. Failure to do so can cause bolt over-torque
resulting in bolt failure.
8. Remove excess oil from bolt, then install the camshaft sprocket retaining bolt and hand tighten.
9. Remove Special Tool 8379 timing chain wedge.
Page 1530 of 5267

INSTALLATION
1. coat the valve stem with clean engine oil and insert
it into the cylinder head.
2. Install the valve stem seal. make sure the seal is
fully seated and that the garter spring at the top of
the seal is intact.
3. Install the spring and the spring retainer.
4. Using the valve spring compressor, compress the
spring and install the two valve spring retainer
halves.
5. Release the valve spring compressor and make
sure the two spring retainer halves and the spring
retainer are fully seated.
6. lubricate the camshaft journal with clean engine oil
then Position the camshaft (with the sprocket dowel
on the left camshaft at 11 o’clock and the right
camshaft at 12 o’clock), then position the camshaft
bearing caps.
7. Install the camshaft bearing cap retaining bolts.
Tighten the bolts 9-13 Nꞏm (100 in. lbs.) in 1/2 turn
increments in the sequence shown .
8. Position the hydraulic lash adjusters and rocker
arms (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD/
ROCKER ARM / ADJUSTER ASSY -
INSTALLATION).
Page 1537 of 5267
12. Verify the V6 mark on the camshaft sprocket is at the 12 o’clock position. Rotate the crankshaft one turn if
necessary.
13. Remove the crankshaft damper (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/VIBRATION DAMPER - REMOVAL).
14. Remove the timing chain cover (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMINGBELT / CHAIN COVER(S) -
REMOVAL).
15. Lock the secondary timing chains to the idler
sprocket using Special Tool 8429 Timing Chain
Holding Fixture (1).
NOTE: Mark the secondary timing chain prior to
removal to aid in installation.
16. Mark the secondary timing chain, one link on
each side of the V6 mark on the camshaft drive
gear.
17. Remove the right side secondary chain tensioner
(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING
BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS - REMOVAL).
Page 1543 of 5267

CAMSHAFT
DESCRIPTION
The camshafts consist of powdered metal steel lobes which are sinter-bonded to a steel tube. Four bearing journals
are machined into the camshaft. Camshaft end play is controlled by two thrust walls that border the nose piece
journal.
REMOVAL
CAUTION: When the timing chain is removed and the cylinder heads are still installed, DO NOT forcefully
rotate the camshafts or crankshaft independently of each other. Severe valve and/or piston damage can
occur.
CAUTION: When removing the cam sprocket, timing chains or camshaft, Failure to use special tool 8379 will
result in hydraulic tensioner ratchet over extension, Requiring timing chain cover removal to re-set the ten-
sioner ratchet.
1. Remove the cylinder head cover (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD/CYLINDER HEAD COVER(S) -
REMOVAL).
2. Set engine to TDC cylinder No. 1, camshaft sprocket V6 marks at the 12 o’clock position (1).
3. Mark one link on the secondary timing chain on both sides of the V6 mark on the camshaft sprocket to aid in
installation.
Page 1546 of 5267

INSTALLATION
1. Lubricate camshaft journals with clean engine oil.
NOTE: Position the right side camshaft so that the
camshaft sprocket dowel is near the 10 o’clock
position, This will place the camshaft at the neu-
tral position easing the installation of the camshaft
bearing caps.
2. Position the camshaft into the cylinder head.
3. Install the camshaft bearing caps, hand tighten the
retaining bolts.
NOTE: Caps should be installed so that the
stamped numbers on the caps are in numerical
order, ( 1 thru 4 ) from the front to the rear of the
engine. All caps should be installed so that the
stamped arrows on the caps point toward the front
of the engine.
4. Working in 1/2 turn increments, tighten the bearing
cap retaining bolts starting with the middle cap
working outward.
5. Torque the camshaft bearing cap retaining bolts to
11 N ꞏm ( 1 0 0 i n . l b s . ) .
6. Position the camshaft drive gear into the timing chain aligning the V6 mark between the two marked chain links
(Two links marked during removal) .
Page 1597 of 5267
FILTER-ENGINE OIL
REMOVAL
All engines are equipped with a high quality full-flow,
disposable type oil filter (1). DaimlerChrysler Corpora-
tion recommends a Mopar
or equivalent oil filter be
used.
1. Position a drain pan under the oil filter.
2. Using a suitable oil filter wrench loosen filter.
3. Rotate the oil filter counterclockwise to remove it
from the cylinder block oil filter boss.
4. When filter separates from cylinder block oil filter
boss, tip gasket end upward to minimize oil spill.
Remove filter from vehicle.
NOTE: Make sure filter gasket was removed with
filter.
5. With a wiping cloth, clean the gasket sealing sur-
face of oil and grime.
INSTALLATION
1. Lightly lubricate oil filter gasket (2) with engine oil.
2. Thread filter (3) onto adapter nipple. When gasket
makes contact with sealing surface, hand tighten
filter one full turn, do not over tighten.
3. Add oil, verify crankcase oil level and start engine.
Inspect for oil leaks.
Page 1607 of 5267

loads. Each tensioner also has a mechanical ratchet system that limits chain slack if the tensioner piston bleeds
down after engine shut down. The tensioner arms and guides also utilize nylon wear faces for low friction and long
wear. The secondary timing chains receive lubrication from a small orifice in the tensioners. This orifice is protected
from clogging by a fine mesh screen which is located on the back of the hydraulic tensioners.
STANDARD PROCEDURE
MEASURING TIMING CHAIN WEAR
NOTE: This procedure must be performed with the
timing chain cover removed.
1. Remove the timing chain cover (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING BELT/CHAIN
AND SPROCKETS - REMOVAL).
2. To determine if the secondary timing chains are
worn, rotate the engine clockwise until maximum
tensioner piston (2) extension is obtained. Measure
the distance between the secondary timing chain
tensioner housing and the step ledge on the piston.
The measurement at point (A) must be less than
15mm (.5906 inches).
3. If the measurement exceeds the specification the
secondary timing chains are worn and require
replacement (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS -
REMOVAL).
SERVICE PROCEDURE - TIMING VERIFICATION
CAUTION: The 3.7L is a non free-wheeling design
engine. Therefore, correct engine timing is critical.
NOTE:Componentsreferredtoaslefthandor
right hand are as viewed from the drivers position
inside the vehicle.
NOTE: The blue link plates on the chains and the
dots on the camshaft drive sprockets may not line
up during the timing verification procedure. The
blue link plates are lined up with the sprocket dots
only when re-timing the complete timing drive.
Once the timing drive is rotated blue link-to-dot
alignment is no longer valid.
Engine base timing can be verified by the following
procedure:
1. Remove the cylinder head covers. Refer to the pro-
cedure in this section.