OEM 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 Van Camshaft

2003 Dodge Ram 3500 Van Camshaft Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to remove and install a camshaft on 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 Van?

  A: Before removing the camshaft, detach the radiator, the A/C Condenser if included and cover the engine, intake manifold and cylinder heads. After that, remove the timing case cover and timing chain, along with the rocker arms, push rods and tappets, remembering to find out where each one goes back. Take off the distributor and the oil pump and drive shaft, then lift out the camshaft thrust plate and notice where the oil hole is located. To remove the camshaft, use a long bolt in front and carefully keep the cam bearings from being damaged with the cam lobes. While installing, first grease the lobes of the camshaft and the journals on the bearings and set the camshaft in the cylinder block so it's close to its final position, stopping 51 mm short. Attach the Camshaft Holder Tool C-3509 to the back of the distributor drive gear with a distributor lockplate bolt, so the camshaft cannot be pushed in excessively. Make sure that the thrust plate is level and make sure the chain oil tab is connected, with the tang entering the hole in the lower right corner of the thrust plate. Screw in the bolts to 24 Nm torque. For proper oil catch, the top edge of the tab must lay flat against the thrust plate. Replace the timing chain, install the gears, measure the end play of the camshaft and if this is outside of the spec, substitute the thrust plate. Reinstall every tappet in the exact spot it came out of and if the camshaft is changed, replace all the tappets too. After that, install the distributor and the distributor drive shaft, then continue with the push rods and tappets, rocker arms, timing case cover, cylinder head covers, intake manifold, engine cover, A/C Condenser if you have it and end with the radiator. After starting the engine, look for possible leaks.