[M K]

Has anyone done this kind of fix ? I was told by a mechanic that they just drill a hole in the case & tap it , then get a bolt with a lock washer & permtex the threads & install it in the hole . You need to know the location of where to drill the case because the bolt needs to be in front of KDP , the bolt does not need to touch the KDP only close enough to stop the KDP from coming out . Is this fix possible or was the mechanic full of it ?

 

[dezl]

I think its possible, look on youtube and they have videos of it being done.

 

[Dual K20s]

That works fine iff the pin has not moved. If it is partially out or already fallen you have no way of knowing.

Pulling the cover and putting a tab in only takes a couple hours with simple hand tools. I just don't see why you would want to cut corners on an easy job

 

[CJReed79]

I used the kit to fix mine. the kit has a jig that you bolt to 2 of the cover bolts. It was pretty easy to do. took me about an hour.

 

[Rbratby]

There are shops that have the kdp jig for the bolt method. I tabbed mine. The KDP had not moved at all on my truck. I did have one of the case bolts about to fall out though. I removed all the bolts I could and cleaned them up put loctite on and torqued them back down.

 

[bigblue24v]

i dont see why you would want to cut corners

 

[renopker]

If you have no leak issues I don't see how its cutting corners with the jig ,drill and tap the hole and use a fiber optical light to see in the hole.(rent one)

 

[M K]

I would not think it would be cutting corners , why replace gaskets & seals if they are not leaking ! Where can I get a jig kit for this fix ? Also it would seem that you could take a small punch & a hammer & reseat the KDP or it may be possible that the bolt would push the KDP in as it is tighten !!!

 

[Dual K20s]

If you get the hole drilled and some how don't drill though a partially protruding pin, you would have to pull the cover to push it back in and tab it anyways.

And only if you are the luckiest guy in the world. The hole is drilled in the case, not the sheet metal cover.


To each his own, but I'd rather tab it for someone for free than know they used a jig

 

[K204DR]

mine was already done that way when I got it, I didnt' know it though until I got it apart. needed seals and the timing case bolts tightened anyhow. glad I took it apart.

 

[illflem]

I've used a jig to contain well over 100 dowel pins. Only two were protruding enough that the cover needed to be removed to pound the pin back in.
My feeling is why go though the hassle of pulling the cover, buying new seals and gaskets when the pin can be contained with a jig in 45 minutes especially considering the pin probably will never fall out on over 99% of engines.
Sure bolts may be loose under the cover but where does that end, bolts could be coming loose all over the engine.
I'm in no way saying the containing the pin should be ignored. The potential for very expensive damage, however slight, makes it wise to do something no matter what method you use.

 

[Joe G.]

I disagree. Screws in other parts of the engine won't do the damage that a gear case screw can do. I've seen reports of breaking the end of the cam shaft off because of a screw falling out in the gear case. Also at least one of breaking main bearking #1 because of a gear case screw. Tabbing the KDP Is not a big job. Takes about four hours for most people.

 

[CJReed79]

I would say just hurry up and do one or the other. I used the jig because I wasn't that experienced when it came to working on these engines. I was very happy with the jig, but like the guys said its hard to tell if you have anything else going on in there. Maybe one of these days I will go ahead and pull the cover and tab it, but for right now I am confident that that pita pin isnt going anywhere

 

[Bomaster238]

That works fine iff the pin has not moved. If it is partially out or already fallen you have no way of knowing.

Pulling the cover and putting a tab in only takes a couple hours with simple hand tools. I just don't see why you would want to cut corners on an easy job

i agree with dualk20s. it isnt too hard of a job and u might as well do it right. and hey u get a new crank seal when you do it which is nice

 

[M K]

Where can I get a jig kit or do I have to take the truck to a shop ??