DODGE DIY - 318 Plenum Reinforcement kit install

lilfroger

HP is how fast u hit the wall ... TQ is how far u
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Posts
154
Reaction score
0
Location
WA
Install Vehicle: 99 Dodge Ram 1500 318 **same engine used in Dakota's, Ram vans, Durango, Grand Cherokee**
Reason for install: vehicle was loosing oil but no visible oil leak was found, vehicle had jumpy idle, vehicle had sluggish throttle response
Dodge TSB 09-05-00 was issues for this problem; but they just install the same plenum intake plate so it will happen again.
Kit ordered: Hughes Engine V8 INTAKE GASKET HUG 3226 and Hughes Engine PLENUM REINFORCEMENT KIT HUG 7712 from http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/index.php Kit comes with new intake bolts & bolts for plate.
Other Parts purchased for install: 185 thermostat and coolant intake by-pass hose (hose tends to leak if re-installed so installing a fresh one is just better)
Tools needed: full set of metric and standard wrenches and sockets; make sure you have extensions (you'll need em), INCH POUND TORQUE WRENCH, blue lock tight, black RTV

The 318 before we started:
DSCN4189.JPG


Disconnect battery & remove coolant overflow bottle
Remove ail filter, plenum and intake tube
DSCN4193.JPG

Disconnect throttle cable bracket at throttle body
Remove four (4) fan blade bolts push fan back towards water pump. This is to gain clearance for fan shroud removal.
Remove windshield washer fluid bottle from shroud. Remember there are two (2) table inside shroud that need to be released to pull bottle upwards.
DSCN4195.JPG

Slide fan shroud upwards then out. This is to give room to stand in engine compartment to make to easier.
DSCN4197.JPG

Remove belt
Remove alternator leads and alternator
Remove ac support, brackets and bolts
Remove IAC, Map, and throttle position sensor connectors
Remove throttle body, gasket, and four (4) bolts
DSCN4203a.jpg

Remove AC compressor connectors (2) Remove AC compressor and swing to passenger side fender (4 bolts)
DSCN4204.JPG

Remove cross bracket (support for ac lines & air box)
DSCN4205a.jpg

Remove Injector connectors (8)
DSCN4207.JPG

Remove heater core coolant supply hose
DSCN4209.JPG

Drain coolant: drain plug turns 1/4 turn clockwise then turn and pull out
DSCN4210.JPG

Bleed fuel rail pressure with shrader valve then remove fuel rail with Injectors intact
DSCN4213.JPG

DSCN4214.JPG

(tie the rail out of the way)
DSCN4216.JPG

Remove all wiring and associated line, plug wires and upper radiator hose
Remove coolant bypass hose (a new one will be installed on re-assembly)
DSCN4217.JPG

Plug injector holes to stop debris from getting into cylinders
DSCN4222.JPG

**Clean all dirt & debris from crevices: if not it will fall into engine**
Remove all intake bolts & remove intake
DSCN4225.JPG

Place rag or towel on top of valley to prevent gasket debris from falling into valley. Remove all old gasket material.
DSCN4226.JPG

Place intake on clean surface
DSCN4230.JPG

-notice the oil vapor stains from vacuum leak in intake
DSCN4231.JPG

Remove fifteen (15) bolts and lower plate
DSCN4232.JPG

-note the oil that was pooling inside the intake
DSCN4233.JPG

Clean intake toughly inside and out: don't use a wookie or scotch-bright: you will get high/low spots and intake will leak
DSCN4234.JPG

DSCN4236.JPG

Install new intake plate per instructions in kit. **Note torque specks are INCH pounds not foot pounds**
torque to 48 inch pounds
torque to 84 inch pounds
torque to 84 inch pounds
DSCN4239.JPG

Install new intake gaskets: use black RTV on lower corners where they cross
DSCN4241.JPG

Reinstall intake
torque bolts 1 through 4 to 72 inch pounds 12 inch pounds at a time
torque bolts 5 through 12 to 72 inch pounds 12 inch pounds at a time
torque all bolts to 72 inch pounds
torque all bolts in sequence to 12 foot pounds
torque all bolts in sequence to 12 foot pounds
DSCN4220a.jpg

Once fully torqued begin re-installing all removed components
Add coolant and check oil levels
 

Cowboy Cadillac

Ain't no trash in my trailer!
Joined
Jul 19, 2009
Posts
3,915
Reaction score
1
Location
Grande Prairie, AB, Canada
I wish I woulda had this thread when I did the Dakotas gasket.....my engine was way dirtier though.

P1040024.jpg


FYI washing the intake plenum in the bath tub is frowned on by most wifes....who knew?:dunno:
 

lilfroger

HP is how fast u hit the wall ... TQ is how far u
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Posts
154
Reaction score
0
Location
WA
Yeah that one really needed it :facepalm:

Bet your mileage went way up when you were finally burning air instead of oil :lol:
 

kpres419

I'm NEW... What now?
Joined
Oct 28, 2012
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
Thank you so much for posting this thread. I have been trying to fig out why my ram van 3500 has been blowing through oil with no visible leaks and not smoking out the exhaust.
 

Zembonez

живи свободно или умри
Lifetime Supporting Member
Joined
May 17, 2009
Posts
57,295
Reaction score
36
Welcome aboard!
 

OldCracker29

I've been knocked down drug out and left for dead
Joined
May 26, 2009
Posts
80,093
Reaction score
965
Location
NE Ohio
Threads going on three years old, but it sure was a nice write-up. :thumbs:
 

Members online

No members online now.

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
28,836
Posts
1,109,352
Members
4,800
Latest member
SpeakerMan
Back
Top