The week I replaced a timing chain on a 2003 Dodge Ram and everything actually went right

Back in 2018 I had this Dodge Ram 5.7 Hemi come in with a rattling timing chain. I figured it would be a two day nightmare with broken bolts and fighting the oil pan gasket. But somehow every bolt came out clean, the timing marks lined up on the first try, and I had it buttoned up in about 6 hours. That never happens to me, you know? Has anyone else had a job that just clicked perfectly for no good reason?

2 comments

2 Comments

lily_sullivan8212d agoMost Upvoted

Yeah that "every bolt came out clean" part is key. Next time soak everything in Kroil or PB Blaster a day before and you'll get that result more often.

veraramirez12d ago

You're totally right about the soak time. I had a rusty Toyota skid plate once where I sprayed PB Blaster on each bolt the night before and then again in the morning before I even touched the car. Every single one came out like butter, no broken bolts or stripped heads. It was honestly kind of magical. Now I never skip that extra day of soaking, especially on something like an oil pan where a snapped bolt would ruin your whole weekend.