Hey all. A customer brought his 97 dodge in for a oil leak on the front of the engine so I pulled the shroud and the fan to see where it was coming from then I remove the idler and could clearly see what had happened the case was broke from the dowel pin droping and binding between the gear and the case. Wow what a mess. So I had a little time so I ran my 95 in the shop and pulled the cover and sure enough it had moved about 3/16 inch. I urge all to check this it is a real easy job I did mine with the tab method in about an hour. Air ratchet make it quick. Remove the windshield washer bottle, fan shroud,fan,belt,fan belt pulley,idler pulley that holds the fan,vibration dampner, all the bolts around the timing cover,and the one that hold the oil filler tube. then romove the cover if you are remove it real easy you can save the gasket just put a little silicon on the gasket when you reinstall it. I was in denial and did not really want to tear into mine untill I saw what had happened to the 97 if you ever see one that has done it you will not hesitate to do yours it is a real simple job to fix it before it is a problem. Matt

 

I think I about drove Tom @ BMD crazy with ending every E-mail with &quot;let me know when you get the Jig kit in&quot; <br><br>Finally I sent him a email one day asking some prices for a friend and he sent back the prices and ended with &quot;oh and we finally have the KDP jig so just let us know when your ready&quot; ;D<br><br>I think 2 days later I was at his shop! and mine was actually the first KDP he did.

 

Don't delay waiting or trying to find a jig kit or if you can not find one. Pull the cover and check it it is a simple job. The peace of mind that you will have knowing it is killed is wonderful. Matt

 

What are you going to do with the damaged case??? I'm looking for one for a special project .....

 

I don't know what the customer is going to do with it yet I will check and see what they want to do with it I will get back to you on it. Matt

 

Matt ...<br><br>Thanks! If it's going to the scrap heap .. I'd like to grab it!!<br><br>Keith

 

What is the Tab method???

 

the tab method is you need to pull the front timing cover to get to the dowel pin and drive it back in and make a tear drop shaped piece of metal with a hole in the small end. Romove the bolt that is near the dowel pin and place the tab you made on this bolt and the other end should cover the dowel to keep it from falling out. I prefer this method as it is not that much of a job to take the cover off the gasket cost is about twenty some dollars But when you remove the timing cover you know for sure if it has moved or is still in place. I done another on friday it was a 95 with 135,000 miles and it was about half way out. Matt

 

You don't have to remove the shroud or anything.<br>You can do it by just removing the fan , belt , pullys, and damper.<br>No fluids have to be drained.<br><br><br> : Eddie : 8)

 

with harolds jig it aint necesary to pull the cover to get the pin back in tight

 

The KDP jig fix is a ezer way to fix it as long as the dowel hasnt moved out too far and the blocking screw can be installed<br><br>http://www.phantomcycle.com/kdpfix.html this is hows its done

 

[quote author=pappyman link=board=16;threadid=10895;start=0#109350 date=1046276907]<br>The KDP jig fix is a ezer way to fix it as long as the dowel hasnt moved out too far and the blocking screw can be installed<br><br>http://www.phantomcycle.com/kdpfix.html this is hows its done<br>[/quote]<br>thats the nice thing bout harolds jig. the angle of the set screw hole is in a way that ya can tap the pin back in tight with a punch, which ya cant with the cpff jig. with the cpff jig if the pin has backed out too much ya gotta remove the cover to get the pin back

 

How long does it take to use the jig method? It takes me an hour to remove the cover and do the tab and you can see exactly what has gone on. Matt

 

The jig fix takes 1 hour first time after that about 45 mins

 

Thanks to all of you. I have a 98 24 Valve with 70,000 miles and I do not want to be a victim.