Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 1451

9 - 228 ENGINE - 5.7L
TIMING/CHAIN AND
SPROCKETS
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect battery negative cable.
(2) Drain cooling system.
(3) Remove Timing Chain Cover.
CAUTION: The camshaft pin and the slot in the cam
sprocket must be clocked at 12:00. The crankshaft
keyway must be clocked at 2:00. The crankshaft
sprocket must be installed so that the dots and or
paint marking is at 6:00.
(4) Re-install the vibration damper bolt finger
tight. Using a suitable socket and breaker bar, rotate
the crankshaft to align timing chain sprockets and
keyways as shown (Fig. 33).
Fig. 33 5.7L TIMING MARK ALIGNMENT
1 - Chain Tensioner
2 - Camshaft Sprocket
3 - Crankshaft Sprocket
(5) Retract tensioner shoe until hole in shoe lines
up with hole in bracket. Slide a suitable pin into the
holes.
(6) Remove camshaft sprocket attaching bolt and
remove timing chain with crankshaft and camshaft
sprockets.
(7) If tensioner assembly is to be replaced, remove
the tensioner to block bolts and remove tensioner
assembly.
INSTALLATION
(1) If tensioner assembly is being replaced, install
tensioner and mounting bolts. Torque bolts to 28 N·m
(250 in. lbs.).
(2) Retract tensioner if required.
CAUTION: The camshaft pin and the slot in the cam
sprocket must be clocked at 12:00. The crankshaft
keyway must be clocked at 2:00. The crankshaft
sprocket must be installed so that the dots and or
paint marking is at 6:00.
(3) Place both camshaft sprocket and crankshaft
sprocket on the bench with timing marks on exact
imaginary center line through both camshaft and
crankshaft bores (Fig. 34).
CAUTION: The timing chain must be installed with
the single plated link aligned with the dot and or
paint marking on the camshaft sprocket. The crank-
shaft sprocket is aligned with the dot and or paint
marking on the sprocket between two plated timing
chain links.
(4) Place timing chain around both sprockets (Fig.
34).
(5) Lift sprockets and chain (keep sprockets tight
against the chain in position as shown).
Fig. 34 5.7L TIMING MARK ALIGNMENT
1 - Chain Tensioner
2 - Camshaft Sprocket
3 - Crankshaft Sprocket
(6) Slide both sprockets evenly over their respec-
tive shafts and check alignment of timing marks.
DR