i need help! trying to change my head gasket

[804ram]

1987 ram 50 4x4...not sure of the engine g54b...

so i got the head off after trying to get all the intake manifold bolts off

i cant pull the head because the timing chain needs to come off....

do i need to take off the whole front cover inorder to change my head gasket?

this is really frusterating lol

[joey_crandall]

no there should be a shelf under the cam gear for it to sit on. but make sure its there, if not you will have to pull the timing cover.

[d50dave]

You dont have to if the cam sprocket rest is still attached. Remove sprocket bolt, gently pull or pry sprocket off the cam and it should drop just a bit until it is resting on the support. Set the engine at TDC on the compression stroke for the #1 piston first. Haynes manual, which you ought to have, spells it out plainly with pictures.

[camoit]

You should not even need to pull the intake. Just the exhaust. There is a first gen manual that covers how and torque down in the manuals section. The cam gear should just wiggle off.

[804ram]

thanks for the replies! i see the bolt thats on the end of the camshaft... but when i try to turn it it doesnt want to budge without turning the chain... should i use penetrating oil? ....and now that i think about it the intake manifold didnt need to come off >:l hahaha

[camoit]

Just put a wrench on it and wack it with a hammer Counter Clock Wise. 3 hard smacks it will come loose. Then just reset the timing by leaving the truck in gear and pushing it back wards. Or use the crank.

[804ram]

can anyone help me with what engine i have? haha i thought it was a 2.6 but i have a timing chain not a belt

[camoit]

On the front of the engine, passenger side, next to the head. There is a flat spot with a stamped number on it. It is part of the head gasket surface.
Here is a factory manual (http://www.mightyram50.net/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=1184). It will have some info you can use. You can look in the archive manual section (http://www.mightyram50.net/phpbb3/manuals-and-source-info-f49.html) for more information. And we have this boards manual section. (http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php/29-Manuals-and-Other-Source-Info)

You should be able to find something in one of these places. The factory manual will show you where to look for the block info.

[DroppedMitsu]

2.6's(g54b) have a timing chain. The 2.0(g63b) has a belt

[804ram]

Thanks Guys! I got it off ! Bad news I have 2 cracks in my head though... Looks like I'll be going to the junk yard soon lol

[804ram]

so i forgot to set my engine at tdc ....should i put the head back on and the distributor in and then set it to tdc? or is there and easier way...

[DroppedMitsu]

just turn the engine over until the piston at the front of engine(cylinder 1) is at the top of its stroke, that is top dead center.