I have owned my 1998 12 Valve 3/4 ton Dodge since new. It is bone stock, right down to the paper air filter. It finally has just over 100,000 miles. A few of the valve covers are leaking. Just today I removed the top cover and discovered there are 6 of them. I have ordered replacement gaskets and they seem pretty simple to change. I was wondering if while I have the valve covers off if there is some adjusment that should be done. These covers have never been removed in 100,000 miles. I won't be taking them off until later in the week when the parts arrive. Thanks for your help.

 

If you've never set the valves, it is overdue for it.

setting valve is really a very simple thing to do. if you know what you're doing. if you set one or more incorrectly or in the wrong sequence, you can and most likely will cause catastrophic engine damage.


if you still want to tackle it theres a pretty comprehensive writeup floating around here somewhere...........I'm sure someone can link it that knows where it is.

or pay a reputible shop for the valve set. I could set your valves in 40 minutes if you're close enough. getting the right pull on the feeler guage on ALL the valves IMO is the most important thing to a good valve set. thats sort of a practiced not taught feel.

 

I would love to do it. I feel pretty confident I can do it (provided the write up is linked). I figured it might be about due. I do it on the drag car all the time, but I imagine this will be a little different.

 

basically coles notes version.........

-Pull all valve covers.
-pin the engine at TDC with the pin in the backside of the cam gear.

with #1 TDC compression pinned you can set

Intakes 1-2-4
exhaust 1-3-5
set intakes to .010"
set exhaust to .020"

find #6 TDC compression. mark crank damper and gear cover turn engine over 1 rev. you verify this when you see #1 valves go into overlap.

now you can set rest....

intake 3-5-6
exhaust 2-4-6

roll the engine over by hand 2 or 3 full revolution to verify no valve to piston interference. fire it up call it good.

 

http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/valve_adj/12_valve.html
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=143557
Both links explain the process well.

 

Thank You gentlemen.

 

http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/valve_adj/12_valve.html
here ya go