[wam18jr]

Good Day Ladies and Gentleman,

My name is Bill and I am the proud owner of a 1996 Dodge Dakota Sport Truck. I call him “Roy”. I am the original owner. Roy was used to pull horses with his 318 V8 engine and 5-speed manual transmission and 3.90 rear end. He had a goose-neck hitch installed over the rear axle and did a yoeman’s job of towing a 34-foot horse trailer and the beasts within. He did this, and other work around “the farm” in Florida. He has 134601 miles at the time of this writing and is an assortment of black and primer gray (at the moment).

Roy took a forced hiatus for about four years due to a change in circumstance (divorce) and was parked out back in the barn for that time. I am afraid he fell into disrepair. All manner of wildlife took there toll on the poor boy, but I am now in the process of restoring Roy to his former glory. The first thing that went bad and had to be replaced was the computer because Roy would not start or run at all! I was afraid he was dead, but a new computer module perked him back up (try finding one of those, not easy!). Quite frankly, he now runs as good as new, with a few exceptions with which I will be seeking y’all’s help in other areas of the forum.

It’s a pleasure to “meet” y’all and Roay and I look forward to your help and advice!

Bill

 

[Dodge City]

Welcome...Sounds like he's on the path to recovery! If you can post some pictures?

 

[wam18jr]

Welcome...Sounds like he's on the path to recovery! If you can post some pictures?

I wil be gad to accommodate, but the poor boy is a lot of primer gray and prefers not to pose for pictures until we get him dressed more appropriately…It’s a pride thing. 😂

 

[jkelly16]

Welcome to the Z from NC! Glad you joined, enjoy the site!

 

[Lisasdad]

Hi and thanks for adding me. My daughter has a 2003 Dodge Durango 4.7l and boy could I use some experienced owners smarts on this one! I am thinking something happened in the overhead cam area but I suspect it oil pressure related, maybe, As the engine began a loud clatter only after it warmed up and near the front of the engine. any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[immattj]

Hi and thanks for adding me. My daughter has a 2003 Dodge Durango 4.7l and boy could I use some experienced owners smarts on this one! I am thinking something happened in the overhead cam area but I suspect it oil pressure related, maybe, As the engine began a loud clatter only after it warmed up and near the front of the engine. any thoughts? Thanks!

If you use the search function at the top pf the page I'd bet you'd find a ton of posts on 4.7s making valve train like noises. (I think there is a subforum somewhere here on the site for the 4.7.) I don't have any personal experience with this, but from what I have read here, the gen2s do seem prone to valve train issues and it also reads as if they are complex & not a piece of cake to work on.

I remember one thread where the OP posted (with a picture) about a hole in one of his valve covers! I thought wow! That one was interesting so I started doing some searches on other forums, & evidently the 4.7s of that generation were famous for (among other things) "the rockers jumping off." The OP got some help, & pulled his valve cover, and reported that sure enough, that was what had happened. Then it also turned out that he had "a bent valve," and that is where he scrapped the project.

I'd suggest probably pulling the valve cover on the noisy side & taking a look under there to see if there was something obvious going on.

 

[Lisasdad]

yeah I suspect your right to be honest. I hope my daughters in laws take on the job though as I truly don't feel a since of want in me to do so!