Dodge Ram Truck 1500-2500-3500. Manual — part 1399

NOTE: REMOVE ALL SHIMS BEFORE REASSEMBLING ENGINE

ALTERNATIVE METHOD

1. With the weight of the crankshaft being supported

by a jack under the counterweight adjacent to the
bearing being checked.

2. Place a piece of Plastigage across the entire width

of the bearing shell in the cap approximately 6.35
mm (1/4 inch) off center and away from the oil
holes. (In addition, suspect areas can be checked
by placing the Plastigage in the suspect area).
Torque the bearing cap bolts of the bearing being
checked to the proper specifications.

3. Remove the bearing cap and compare the width of

the flattened Plastigage with the metric scale pro-
vided on the package. Locate the band closest to the same width. This band shows the amount of clearance in
thousandths of a millimeter. Differences in readings between the ends indicate the amount of taper present.
Record all readings taken. Refer to Engine Specifications. Plastigage generally is accompanied by two
scales. One scale is in inches, the other is a metric scale.

4. Plastigage is available in a variety of clearance ranges. The 0.025-0.076 mm (.001-.003 inch) is usually the most

appropriate for checking engine bearing proper specifications.

CRANKSHAFT

STANDARD PROCEDURE

MEASURING CRANKSHAFT END PLAY

1. Mount a dial indicator to front of engine, locating

probe on nose of crankshaft.

2. Move crankshaft all the way to the rear of its travel.

3. Zero the dial indicator.

4. Move crankshaft all the way to the front and read

the dial indicator. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE - SPECIFI-
CATIONS) for crankshaft end-play specifications.

CRANKSHAFT END PLAY CHECK - OPTIONAL

1. Move crankshaft all the way to the rear of its travel using a lever inserted between a main bearing cap and a

crankshaft cheek using care not to damage any bearing surface. Do not loosen main bearing cap.

2. Use a feeler gauge between number 3 thrust bearing and machined crankshaft surface to determine end play.

(Refer to 9 - ENGINE - SPECIFICATIONS) for crankshaft end-play specifications.

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ENGINE - 8.3L - SERVICE INFORMATION

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CRANKSHAFT JOURNAL MEASUREMENT

The crankshaft journals should be checked for exces-
sive wear, taper and scoring. Limits of taper or out-of-
round on any crankshaft journals should be held to
0.013 mm (0.0005 in.). Journal grinding should not
exceed 0.508 mm (0.020 in.) under the standard jour-
nal diameter. DO NOT grind thrust faces of No. 3 main
bearing. DO NOT nick crank pin or bearing fillets. After
grinding, remove rough edges from crankshaft oil
holes and clean out all passages.

CAUTION: With the forged crankshafts it is impor-
tant that the final paper or cloth polish after any
journal regrind be in the same direction as normal
rotation in the engine.

1. Measure the journal outside diameter as illustrated.

(Refer to 9 - ENGINE - SPECIFICATIONS) for
crankshaft specifications.

REMOVAL

1. Remove engine assembly from vehicle (Refer to 9

- ENGINE - REMOVAL).

2. Mount engine on a suitable repair stand.

3. Remove oil pan (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/LUBRICA-

TION/OIL PAN - REMOVAL).

4. Remove crankshaft rear oil seal retainer (Refer to 9

- ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/CRANKSHAFT REAR
OIL SEAL RETAINER - REMOVAL).

5. Remove crankshaft pulley and damper (Refer to 9 -

ENGINE/ENGINE BLOCK/VIBRATION DAMPER -
REMOVAL).

6. Remove timing chain cover (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/

VALVE

TIMING/TIMING

CHAIN

COVER

-

REMOVAL).

7. Remove timing chain and crankshaft sprocket.

(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/TIMING
CHAIN AND SPROCKETS - REMOVAL).

8. Remove oil pump pick up tube (2).

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ENGINE - 8.3L - SERVICE INFORMATION

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9. Remove crankshaft oil scraper (2).

CAUTION: DO NOT use a number stamp or a
punch to mark connecting rods. Damage to con-
necting rod could occur.

10. Inspect connecting rods and connecting rod caps

for cylinder identification (1). Identify them if nec-
essary using a permanent ink or paint marker.

CAUTION: Care must be taken not to damage the
fractured rod and cap joint surfaces, as engine
damage many occur.

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ENGINE - 8.3L - SERVICE INFORMATION

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NOTE: Do not reuse connecting rod bolts.

11. Remove connecting rod bolts (1) and caps.

12. Main bearing caps are not interchangeable and should be marked before removal to ensure correct reassembly.

13. Remove the side main bearing cap bolts and main bearing cap bolts.

14. Remove the main bearing caps.

15. When removing the crankshaft, it should be lifted straight out of the engine block. This will prevent any damage

to the engine and crankshaft.

INSPECTION

1. The crankshaft journals should be checked for excessive wear, taper and scoring. Limits of taper or out-of-round

on any crankshaft journals should be held to 0.025 mm (0.001 in.). Journal grinding should not exceed 0.508 mm
(0.020 inch) under the standard journal diameter. DO NOT grind thrust faces of No. 3 main bearing. DO NOT
nick crank pin or bearing fillets. After grinding, remove rough edges from crankshaft oil holes and clean out all
passages.

CAUTION: With the forged crankshafts it is important that the final paper or cloth polish after any journal
regrind be in the same direction as normal rotation in the engine.

2. Check and clean all oil holes for blockage and debris.

DR/DH

ENGINE - 8.3L - SERVICE INFORMATION

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