I've never rebuilt and engine before, but one simple question. If I had rod knock, whats ****ed up? Real simple... Naw, I'm just not sure exactly what rod knock is

 

Rod knock is usually a bad bearing, the slop in the rod allows it to move back and forth causing a knocking sound. Just be carefull how you diagnose something. Rod knock usually speaks for itself. It is a very bad noise that you will hear nromally under heavy load if it is just begining. If it is really bad the noise will be there continueous. It is kinda hard to explain. The best thing to look at first though, and alot of people here are expeirienceing the same thing is the Flex plate (flywheel). They have a tendency to crack and make a rod knocking like noise. I personally have run into this problem on many V8 engines. If you think that your noise is bad enough to really start tearing things apart, I would look into this first. The cracks can be very small and hard to notice sometimes, so use a good light and maybe even a magnifing glass. Hope this helps???

 

Yes it does. This post was non-f body...shoulda mentioned it
Guy sellin the Ram claims it has rod knock (thing is beat to ****, but driverain is good...I could pick up fer a couple of hundred!). 360, 4speed stick... I was planning on prolly just getting a crate magnum, but if it is the flywheel, that would be sweet!

 

If your getting it cheap and all well go for it. Being that it is a dodge though, it may very well be the rods then. When I refered to alot of V8 having this problem I was refering to GM products more then others, so...but who knows?? If you can get it cheap then I guess it's all good. But don't count on the flywheel to much. But hey who knows, you may buy the thing and that is all it is. Good luck!

 

Take a very close look at the front suspension, especially in the upper spring mount area. These vehicles were subject to several TSBs and recalls regarding springs working up through the mounts, stress cracks in the mounts, inability to align them properly, etc. Unfortunately, this is STILL a problem with th enewer ones, since the design is weak. All of th e"repairs" have been band-aid fixes to get them beyond the warranty period. I guess those "Ram-Tough" trucks aren't so friggin' tough after all. Consider the fact that they are still a Mopar, and that a ram is nothing more than a sheep with a dông...and a short one at that. I know several lonely farmers who just love their rams and sheep, and I ain't talking trucks. If you don't want to suffer a similar fate, check it out thoroughly. If there's fresh undercoating on it or something hiding the mountings, be very careful or just walk away and get a different truck.

 

He aint hinding nothing... He's a freind of a buddy... The front suspension is aftermarket (for the most part), and its slightly lifted (enough to fit 31" tires). I know what I'm getting into.... its a nice, cheap toy that I could work on. Not even sure if I'm getting it yet, but thanks so much for all the advice!