i am trying to trace a leak near the front of the block...it looks like it is coming from between the gear case and the engine block....i have read quite a few threads about making certain the gear case bolts are tight before you go ahead and replace the gaskets....do the gear case cover bolts hold both the gear case cover and gear case itself to the block??? and/or are there other bolts from the block to the backside of the gear case??... how many bolts hold the actual case to the block????thx..vs

 

As I recall there are 7 bolts that hold the case to the block under the cover.
Two are inaccessible unless you pull the cam.

 

in your debt as usual Bill...thx...vs

 

Here's a good video of someone doing repairs after his KDP fell out.
There are four video clips in all, plus another that shows the highlights of the repair job.
This is the first, showing the timing cover and housing arrangement.
Pretty interesting.
Part one
Here are the other clips:
Part two, part three, part four, and the highlights.

 

wow Ronny Bailey....that video just PROVES to me how little i TRULY know about mechanics....i especially like the part about..."just re-assemble"....vs

 

WHOA!!!!! just got prices for the gear case cover gasket and the gear case gasket itself...71$ and 73$ respectively!!!!!! this was from the local dodge dealer...does that sound correct????

also...their price on the overflow valve was 265$...now...they called it an overflow assembly...but i cant figure out what else would come with it??

these prices seem very steep...vs

 

WAYYYYYYYYYY too high.

Overflow valve is like 30-35 bucks on Ebay for the 12 valves at least, I would bet the same is true for yours.

Gaskets are typically under 30 bucks each from about anywhere, Napa, AZ, Rock Auto, etc.........

 

Go to Cummins. Usually much cheaper than the dealer, and only marginally more expensive than the jobber shops, but its genuine Cummin's stuff.

 

I believe my timing cover gasket was in the $25 range when purchased from my local cummins shop. The seal came in the KDP kit, so I did not need that. NAPA can get a complete timing cover set, but I can't remember the price. I only wanted the one gasket so I passed. If you can get cummins, get them since you know what you are getting. Don't forget all the information on the timing cover plate. You will need those numbers at cummins.

 

how much is it leaking? is it leaking when running or when off or both?

 

bit of an update...managed to locate a gasket at cookson international motors for 46$ best price i could find including lordco (our napa type store)....

did purchase the overflow on ebay 35$

only drips when the engine is running...and for a few seconds once its turned off...really improved the situation by fixing a couple qestionable vaccumm connections....but still small leak...so i am going to try and tighten the case bolts this weekend and see if it helps...i really want to avoid removing the gear case to replace THAT gasket....vs