OEM 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 Camshaft

2000 Dodge Ram 1500 Camshaft Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Remove and Install a Camshaft on 2000 Dodge Ram 1500?

  A: The first thing to do is pull off the negative battery cable and next disassemble the radiator using the right cooling system process. After that, remove the intake manifold and the distributor assembly according to the powertrain management instructions. Take off the cylinder head covers, rocker arms, push rods and tappets with care, never losing sight of which part goes where. After that step, take away the timing cover, bring the timing marks together and get rid of the timing chain and sprockets. Lift out all three tensioners that secure the motor mount to the chassis and remove each tensioner as well. To make it easier to remove the camshaft, go ahead and place a long bolt in front of its cam lobe, without harming the cam bearings. It is important to lubricate the camshaft lobes and bearing journals, then install them in the vertical position, leaving about 2 inches from the needed final position in the cylinder block. Fit the Camshaft Gear Installer Tool C-3509 over the back of the distributor gear, hold it secure with a distributor bolt and make sure the Welch plug on the back is clear of the camshaft; this tool should stay installed until the sprockets and timing chain are all set. Place the tensioner and use a torque wrench to tighten the three bolts to 24 Nm (210 in. lbs.), trigger the tensioner to compress the shoe and add a standard pin to hold it while the chain is installed. Line up the timing marks on both camshaft and crankshaft sprockets along one imaginary center line through the bores and place the timing chain around them while the sprockets are on the bench. Keep the camshaft and crankshaft aligned to the keyways on their sprockets, now lift the sprockets and the chain and bring them closer so they press against one another, then slide both sprockets evenly onto the shafts, checking the alignment of timing marks with a ruler. Secure the camshaft bolt and put on the washer, give it a 68 Nm (50 ft. lbs.) tightening and measure the camshaft end play; if it doesn't meet the requirements, fit a new timing chain tensioner. Slide the tappets into their original spots and remember that you replace all tappets if the camshaft is replaced. After that, replace the timing chain cover, fit the intake manifold and the distributor and install the cylinder head covers and radiator. Make sure the cooling system is full, then attach the battery negative cable back and start the motor to look for leaks.