dapepper9
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2013
- Posts
- 5,908
- Reaction score
- 2,224
- Location
- Iowa/Nebraska Border
- Ram Year
- 2001
- Engine
- 5.9L V8
I would avoid pulling the distributor out if i were you. For now at least.
Judging by the background you've given us on yourself, I'm going to assume you're rather familiar with distributor rotation and it's effect on ignition timing in older vehicles like you have. These trucks are the same while being completely different. Distributor rotation STILL affects timing but NOT ignition timing like you would logically think. It actually affects the timing of the fuel injectors. In fact, the only real role it plays in ignition events is energy transfer much like your fuel pump relay.
Mechanically you can get it reset close to where it needs to be if you do remove it. However, to fully set it you need a Chrysler DRB3 scan tool or equivalent. Snap-On MT2500 is another common one. Dealerships SHOULD be able to do it as well because they'll have the DRB3 or an equivalent newer tool. I know my local dealership will do it for $50 but i also went ahead and purchased a used mt2500 because:
1. I don't like and don't trust dealerships
2. I'm not going to count on them continuing to ne able to do it
But, i also don't want to scare you either. If you need to pull it, then you need to pull it. It's rather simple to remove and only slightly more complicated to install. Setting it gets complicated ONLY because of the scan tool BUT that also depends on how much of a perfectionist you'd going to be about it. You can get it really close just by ear/eye and many tuners even recommend +4 degrees to +10 of advance in certain applications for camshaft tuning.
If you haven't yet, the forum here has the factory service manual which is VERY detailed and explains all of this as well and you can find it in the DIY tab
Judging by the background you've given us on yourself, I'm going to assume you're rather familiar with distributor rotation and it's effect on ignition timing in older vehicles like you have. These trucks are the same while being completely different. Distributor rotation STILL affects timing but NOT ignition timing like you would logically think. It actually affects the timing of the fuel injectors. In fact, the only real role it plays in ignition events is energy transfer much like your fuel pump relay.
Mechanically you can get it reset close to where it needs to be if you do remove it. However, to fully set it you need a Chrysler DRB3 scan tool or equivalent. Snap-On MT2500 is another common one. Dealerships SHOULD be able to do it as well because they'll have the DRB3 or an equivalent newer tool. I know my local dealership will do it for $50 but i also went ahead and purchased a used mt2500 because:
1. I don't like and don't trust dealerships
2. I'm not going to count on them continuing to ne able to do it
But, i also don't want to scare you either. If you need to pull it, then you need to pull it. It's rather simple to remove and only slightly more complicated to install. Setting it gets complicated ONLY because of the scan tool BUT that also depends on how much of a perfectionist you'd going to be about it. You can get it really close just by ear/eye and many tuners even recommend +4 degrees to +10 of advance in certain applications for camshaft tuning.
If you haven't yet, the forum here has the factory service manual which is VERY detailed and explains all of this as well and you can find it in the DIY tab