Timing reset/rebuild

Hello,

It sounds like you forgot to reset the timing chain tensioners which must be done when replacing the chain and guides. Do not try to stretch the chain, that wont work it will probably break the chain. Here are complete instructions on how to replace the chain and reset the tensioners. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

So, i called a local 4x4 mechanic after he went over the same things i did i decided to go give it another crack. So i went out and straight away took out the tensioner arms and tensioners themselves his worked. So what he was saying was "take out the tensioners you'll be able to finagle them back in, but your chain will be long enough and the sprockets will go right on. " and that is true. but i am a wizard so i know there's something else. then there it was; if your tensioners rail screw isn't removable you may as well find a two tiny gnomes in oil proof suits to live in your timing case acting as tensioners. so i'm go full ready for to finish. but now i have two tensioners in my hand and i can't get the flat head screw..ahem..to loosen...so i take them to the local shop and after two hours of further magic and alchemy...no movement but tightening occurs...heat and impact didn't work..so now it's worsened...then...i take it to my original destination...a trusty old mechanical wizzbang who lives across the street from the local mechanic station...hes working on a early 1900s tractor hes selling to another time and place...and he says okay he will take them on..just leave them...so i'm possibly going to have to buy two new tensioners for $80...so the rail can be compressed and i can slip them on and then pull the pin and the tensioners will be back in and set to go...i also needed to file my crankshaft key way a tad so i did invest and that worked out like bruce lee in paper shoes...so i'm on hold right now waiting to find out if i need to go ahead with the purchase or we can manage the old tensioners back in the same old engine...either way...the timing chain issue...was resolved by removing the tensioners...because the toothed rail on them doesn't allow any more compression and thus no more length...off with them..and youre in the right..if you can unscrew yours at the toothed rail...youre as well in the right...if not..off and go from there...tensioners on auto part sites cost about $80-$90 cheap and on ebay you can get a kit with all three timing gears, both cam sprockets, all four tensioner arms and both...preset unreleased limiter rails with a grenade like pin to release the compressable tensioner and rail both...tensioners...for $70-$89 for all that stuff...it was really a superior deal...and i am on hold to find out if i need to go forward with that...if i can get the old ones in by some other wizards handywork...then magic will occur...and that's followed by a reset of oil and test of the new headgasket and timing seals and then my new truck...will be one step closer to road ready. So..tensioners yes...stretch chain...not even mr.t would do that.

Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

I'm looking for the timing chain routing diagram for a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 3.7L standard transmission 4x2. I replaced the passenger side cylinder head on the truck. before I pulled the cam sprocket and timing chain on the passenger side only. Since the vehicle has three chains I set the crank on TDC, but I would like to see a diagram first just in case them eyeballs of mine were off a hair.

Here they are. TDC is the correct position for removal and installation.