Hey there, I was wondering what all should be done to a newly bought used truck. I already replaced the track bar, ball joints, front brakes, rear brakes are soon, changed all fluids, put on a BHAF, greased up the front end (9 zerks), oiled the truck. I was wondering more so about the engine now though, I will be adjusting the timing and setting it at 16.5 or 17 degrees when my timing kit comes in, I was wondering about valve lash and other things. What should all be checked on the B series 12 Valve engines? Or mabye not checked but adjusted for optimum running efficiency and such. Thanks.

-Jared

 

Jared:

Have you taken care of the KDP yet?

John (DH)

 

Do the killer dowel pin fix. Adjust the valves/ replace gaskets. Replace the fuel filter and change or clean the fuel screen down at the heater. Probably will need starter contacts replaced soon, same goes for the rubber fuel return line at the back of the engine.
As far as the timing, I would suggest only going up to 15.5 max with a stock headgasket. Anymore than that increases cylinder pressure and you're just asking for a headgasket failure.

 

Not as much problem with higher timing with the small pumps in '94&'95.
16.5 - 17 is fine and common, some people even go up to 19 with the eariler 2nd gens.

Good maintenence info here http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/maint/2nd_Gen-12v.htm

 

I have already replaced the fuel filter and prefilter, havent looked at the fuel return line at the back of the engine, is it rubber? Could you mabye replace it with a peice of stainless? Also the start contacts, should I just take my starter into a shop and have them look at it or is it fairly easy to do it myself?
I will be doing the timing tomorrow hopefully, I was thinking about doing the valve clearences at the same time too. Anything else I should look at while Im under there tomorrow?

As far as the dowel pin, I will be doing it soon as soon as I get the gasket and seal or mabye I will just buy the kit from TST. Do the 92 Trucks have this problem with the DP? When I do mine my dad will probably want me to do his two trucks (same as mine, except a 96 and a 92) thats why I am wondering.

Thanks

-Jared