I want to recommend that everyone do this... Doesn't cost anything but an hour or two of work if you are careful with the valve cover gasket. I thought my truck ran good before I did this. Now it downright purrs. Even my wife remarked a couple of times now that it's much quieter than before. I did this last week and today was the first time I drove the truck on the freeway. Man, it just blew me away. I set them on .010 intake and .020 exhaust. Torqued the jam nuts to 18, and that was it. Runs like new.

 

Yea. I gotta do mine soon. It has 140,000 miles without an overhead. Startin to sound a little wicked on the top end.

 

Where are some instructions, are there any special tools required, are 5 & 6 a pain to get to? Thanks.

 

Instructions are on here. Hafta look. One thing I would add.... I used a piece of cardboard between the valve cover and the firewall to keep the junk from falling into the valvetrain. 5 & 6 are not that hard to get to.. You'll need a step-stool unless your're really tall. I climbed up and sat on the brush guard.

 

I checked out the article - its great but to clarify , do I rotate the cs 180 degrees to bdc?

 

Just did mine at 160,000 for the first time. All intakes were 0.011-0.012 and exhaust 0.021-0.024 so no adjustments needed. As stated on dodgeram.info/Engine-Diesel/maint/valve_adj-24v.html an acceptable intake lash range is 0.006-0.015 and for exhaust it is 0.015-0.030. "If the measurement falls within the limits, adjustment/resetting is not necessary. Engine operation within these ranges has no adverse affect on performance, emissions, fuel economy or level of engine noise. If measurement finds the lash outside of the limits, adjustment/resetting is required."
Amazing after 160K that these valves are still so close to spec.

 

Yes, you get the timing mark pointed straight up to the TDC mark for the first set. Adjust the first 6. Then rotate the engine counterclockwise using the alternator bolt til the timing mark points straight down or 180 deg.
Then you adjust the last 6.

 

It's realy easy with my Cummins tool set for the valves, filters and turning tool.

 

I adjusted mine this morning, and it was easy as pie. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 needed adjustment. The exhaust were <= 0.008 out and the intake were <= 0.006 out. Cylinder #5 was dead nuts 0.020 exhaust and 0.010 intake. This was at 150,500 miles. The head gasket had been replaced in January, so I don't know how that affected it. If you are on the fence about adjusting the valve lash, just go for it.

 

From my own experience, The truck runs quieter(Valve clatter). and smooth (feels like it is more powerful).
Any way I'm Happy.

 

I thought the truck sounded quieter at first, but I chalked that up to wishful thinking. Later, my girlfriend got in and asked what I did to make it quieter. Guess I was right!