OEM Dodge Ram 3500 Van Camshaft

Dodge Ram 3500 Van Camshaft Parts and Q&A

• Camshaft
  53021101
  Q: How to remove and install camshaft bearings on Dodge Ram 3500 Van?

  A:

  Before trying to remove the camshaft bearings, ensure the engine parts are removed and the rear cam bearing core plug is driven out. Insert the correct size Camshaft Bearing Remover/Installer Tool C-3132-A and horseshoe washers into the back of each bearings shell to drive them out. To service the camshaft that has an oil pump and distributor drive gear, first remove the radiator, the A/C condenser if it's an equipment, as well as the engine cover, intake manifold, cylinder head covers and timing case cover, along with the timing chain, rocker arms, push rods and tappets. Then, take out the distributor, get rid of the oil pump and shaft and lift out the camshaft thrust plate, making sure to see where the oil tab is. Insert a long bolt into the front of the camshaft and, while carefully removing it, make sure you don't hurt the cam bearings. During installation, employ the Camshaft Bearing Remover/Installer Tool C-3132-A to slide the bearings over their proper adapters, fit the rear bearing into the front end of the tool and drive the lock onto the bearing shell so the openings line up with the oil passages. Use a fresh core hole plug at the back of the camshaft to check that nothing can leak. Cover the camshaft lobes and bearing journals with lubricant and place the camshaft in the cylinder block so it is about 51 mm (2 inches) from its final positioned. Put C-3509 tool in place so the tongue backs up against the distributor drive gear, lock it in place using the distributor bolt and avoid the camshaft being pushed deeper inside. Set the camshaft thrust plate and chain oil tab in place, so that the tang goes into the bottom hole and fasten the bolts at 24 Nm (210 in. lbs.) torque, so the top of the tab sits evenly on the thrust plate for comfortable oil flow. Fix the timing chain and gears and measure the end play of the camshafts; if the values are off, put a new thrust plate in. Replace each tappet where it was originally situated and if the camshaft is replaced, swap out all of the cylinders' tappets. The next steps are to set up the distributor and distributor drive shaft. Afterward, do the same with the push rods, tappets, rocker arms, timing case cover, cylinder head covers, intake manifold, engine cover, A/C condenser if existing and finish off with the radiator. Turn on the engine and check for signs of fluid leaking.