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mxjamie79
Dodge Dakota
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1/13/2005
10:46:58

Subject: timing chains
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I am currently getting ready to replace the rattle trap of a timing chain on my 97 3.9 Dakota.

I have heard that the Competition Cams part #2103, which is listed for 273-360ci, 1956-1988... I have heard that this part will work for my V6, but I am wanting to hear it from someone else before I commit to ordering. Also is $55.00 a good price for this piece.

Does anybody have any info on this part....or what would be a better part for about the same money?

Also, I know I need the water pump, timing cover, and possibly an oil pan gasket, but what about this bypass hose deal....what is it?

I have been searching for 2 days and am just getting a headache from all the different opinions.


Please, if anybody has different timing sets for me to try, please try to provide a part # or a link to the item, because I am getting way too confused in trying to find a simple timing set.


Thanks everybody...best Dakota website on the net!




CP
Dodge Dakota
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1/13/2005
11:30:35

RE: timing chains
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First do a search here for timing chain on this website. Get a double roller set. The bypass hose is the short hose (like 4 inches long and elbow shapped) that comes from the top of the water pump and allows coolant to circulate in the water jacket while the t-stat is closed, shutting flow off to the radiator. Change it, the heater hoses, and the upper and lower radiator hose at this time to completely restore your engine cooling system along with your new water pump and new t-stat.

Why do you think you need a timing chain cover???

And finally, about the oil pan gasket, you probably wont be dropping the oil pan. Once you have the timing chain cover off and the front edge of the oil pan gasket is exposed, check to see if it is metal. Leave it alone if it's metal and reassemble without a worry. What you will need is a new front mainshaft seal that should come with the double roller timing chain gasket kit. It seats into the timing chain cover.
As for the price, you get what you pay for. $50 is a good OEM replacement base price. A performance double roller and gears will be $125 or more and last for the life of the engine. I reccomend you find a Mopar dealer and call for the part $$ specified for your application. See if there is a performance upgrade. Cross check the value at somewhere like Summit Racing or Jegs, and then just buy it. Oh, just to be clear, you may not need to remove the oil pan to remove the timing chain cover. But without seeing it I could be mistaken. Larry does a write up on the home page of this website and it dosn't mention dropping the pan. I've done this and didn't have to. I suspect you may be able to leave it on.



93dak4x4
Dodge Dakota
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1/13/2005
13:29:25

RE: timing chains
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you made that sound way to hard...your timing chain cover is perfectly fine unless you hit something head on with the truck and broke it. the water pump will come off and just disconnect the hose at the top, dont worry about the metal part unless it leaks. as for the oil pan, leave that alone, just replace the seal on the front of the timing cover for the crank, and maybe use some sealant on the corners where the pan contacts the cover. as for the chain get a double roller chain, they are about 60-70, i got mine through carquest, i dont know the part number. should take you about 4 hours to do the swap and you need a harmonic balancer puller...its easy



mxjamie79
Dodge Dakota
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1/13/2005
18:31:10

RE: timing chains
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I know I don't need a timing cover, I meant the timing cover gasket, not timing cover itself. Sorry about the confusion and thanks.



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