Complete replacement of the engine short block assembly on a 2014 Ram 2500 with 6.7L Cummins diesel engine, including removal of cab or engine extraction, transfer of cylinder head, timing components, and all external accessories to the new short block.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Short block assembly (6.7L Cummins) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Main bearing set (if not included with short block) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Rod bearing set (if not included with short block) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Complete gasket set × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Front crankshaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Rear crankshaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pump (if not included with short block) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Connecting rod bolts (TTY) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Main bearing cap bolts (TTY) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• RTV silicone sealant (Mopar approved) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Assembly lube for bearings × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Thread locker (medium strength) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Mopar 5W-20 Synthetic Blend — 13 qt
• Mopar OAT Coolant (Purple) — 18 qt
• Mopar ATF+4 — 10 qt

Preparation

1. Position vehicle on level surface with wheel chocks and parking brake engaged
2. Disconnect both batteries (negative terminals first) and remove batteries from vehicle
3. Drain engine oil completely and remove oil filter
4. Drain cooling system at radiator petcock and lower hose
5. Recover AC refrigerant using approved recovery machine
6. Remove hood and store in protected area
7. Remove engine cover and air intake system completely
8. Relieve fuel system pressure by disconnecting fuel pump relay and cranking engine briefly
9. Place protective covers over fenders and front of vehicle
10. Raise vehicle on lift to allow access from below
11. Remove skid plates and belly pans as equipped
12. Mark and photograph all wiring harness routing before disconnection

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove front-end components and accessories
   Disconnect intercooler system, charge air cooler piping, and radiator hoses. Remove radiator, fan shroud, and cooling fan assembly. Disconnect AC compressor (leave hoses attached if possible) and power steering pump, securing to frame. Remove alternator and all belt-driven accessories. Disconnect all electrical connectors from engine-mounted sensors including MAP, IAT, ECT, and crankshaft position sensor. Label each connector location.
2. 2

   Disconnect fuel and exhaust systems
   Disconnect high-pressure fuel lines at fuel rail and return lines at fuel filter housing using appropriate fuel line tools. Cap all open fuel ports immediately. Disconnect exhaust system at turbocharger outlet. Remove turbocharger oil feed and return lines. Support exhaust system and unbolt from frame mounts as needed for clearance. Disconnect EGR system components if removal is required for access.
3. 3

   Separate transmission from engine
   Support transmission securely with transmission jack. Remove transmission inspection cover and mark flexplate-to-torque converter relationship. Remove torque converter-to-flexplate bolts. Disconnect all transmission electrical connectors, cooler lines (plug immediately), and shift linkage. Remove starter motor. Remove all transmission-to-engine mounting bolts and carefully separate transmission, ensuring torque converter remains with transmission. Support transmission on jack and lower carefully.
   Torque spec

   Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove engine from vehicle
   Attach engine hoist to factory lifting eyes on cylinder head with grade 8 hardware. Support engine weight with hoist. Disconnect engine mounts at frame brackets. Perform final check that all hoses, wires, and components are disconnected. Slowly raise engine while guiding clear of frame rails and firewall. An assistant should guide from below. Once clear of engine bay, position engine on engine stand and secure through bellhousing bolt pattern using heavy-duty engine stand bolts.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove cylinder head assembly
   With engine on stand, drain remaining coolant from block. Remove valve cover, rocker arm assemblies, and pushrods (keep in order for reinstallation). Remove cylinder head bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (from outside to inside pattern). Use hoist or assistance to lift cylinder head from block - 6.7L Cummins head weighs approximately 200 lbs. Place head on clean protected surface. Cover exposed cylinders and combustion chambers with clean lint-free shop towels to prevent contamination.
6. 6

   Remove timing components and front cover
   Remove crankshaft pulley using appropriate puller (do not hammer on pulley). Remove timing cover bolts in sequence and carefully pry cover away from block using designated pry points only. Remove gear train including camshaft gear, idler gear, and crankshaft gear. Mark timing relationship before removal. Remove oil pump from front of block and inspect drive components. Remove front crankshaft seal from timing cover.
   Torque spec

   Crankshaft Pulley Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)

   Cover Bolts22 Nm (16 lb-ft)

   Oil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove oil pan and pickup tube
   Remove oil pan bolts working from center outward. Use plastic scraper to break gasket seal - do not pry between pan and block surfaces. Remove oil pickup tube and inspect screen. Clean all gasket surfaces on oil pan thoroughly and inspect pan for damage or distortion. Set aside all reusable components on clean work surface.
   Torque spec

   Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove flywheel and rear seal housing
   Lock flywheel using appropriate holding tool. Remove flywheel bolts in star pattern, loosening gradually. Remove flywheel and mark orientation for reinstallation (though new short block installation may require remarking). Remove rear crankshaft seal housing bolts and carefully remove housing. Inspect housing for damage or distortion.
   Torque spec

   Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Transfer components to new short block
   Thoroughly clean new short block deck surface and all mating surfaces using solvent and lint-free cloths. Verify new short block includes correct pistons, crankshaft installed with bearings, and all threaded holes are clean and undamaged. If short block requires assembly of internal components, install main bearings using assembly lube, torque main caps to specification plus angle per service manual sequence, then install pistons with rings (verify ring gaps and orientation). Install rear seal housing with new gasket and RTV as specified. Install oil pump with new gasket using assembly lube on gears.
   Torque spec

   Main Bearing Cap Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)

   Connecting Rod Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)

   Oil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Install oil pan and pickup assembly
    Install new oil pan gasket with small bead of RTV at front and rear corner joints. Position oil pickup tube with new O-ring and torque mounting bolts. Install oil pan, starting bolts by hand at center and working outward. Torque oil pan bolts in criss-cross pattern from center outward to specification. Allow RTV to cure per manufacturer specifications before adding oil.
    Torque spec

    Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install timing components and front cover
    Install new front crankshaft seal in timing cover using seal driver. Install crankshaft gear on crankshaft using appropriate installer (do not hammer directly on gear). Install idler gear and camshaft gear, aligning all timing marks precisely per factory specifications. Apply thin coat of RTV to timing cover mating surface and install new timing cover gasket. Install timing cover and torque bolts in sequence from center outward. Install crankshaft pulley using new bolt, torquing to specification (may require impact wrench).
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts22 Nm (16 lb-ft)

    Crankshaft Pulley Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install cylinder head and valve train
    Clean cylinder head mating surface and block deck thoroughly. Install new head gasket with orientation marks facing up. Carefully position cylinder head on block using guide studs if available. Install new cylinder head bolts and torque in sequence per service manual (typically center outward pattern) following multi-stage torque plus angle specifications. Install pushrods in original locations. Install rocker arm assemblies and adjust valve lash per factory specifications. Install valve cover with new gasket.
13. 13

    Install flywheel and external components
    Install flywheel in correct orientation (align previous marks or verify timing marks for new installation). Install new flywheel bolts and torque in star pattern to specification. Install all external sensors including crankshaft position sensor, oil pressure sender, and coolant temperature sensors. Torque sensor bolts to specification. Install oil drain plug with new crush washer. Install new oil filter and pre-fill with clean oil.
    Torque spec

    Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)

    Sensor Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)

    Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install engine and reconnect transmission
    With engine fully assembled with all transferred components, carefully lift engine from stand and position in vehicle using hoist. Align engine mounts and install mount bolts finger-tight. Raise transmission on jack and align with engine, ensuring torque converter is properly seated in pump (should have at least 1/2 inch recess). Install all transmission-to-engine bolts and torque to specification. Reconnect torque converter to flexplate (align marks) and torque bolts. Remove hoist and torque engine mount bolts to specification.
    Torque spec

    Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

    Mounting Bolts64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reconnect all systems and fill fluids
    Reconnect all accessories including alternator, AC compressor, power steering pump, and torque mounting bolts. Reconnect all electrical connectors per documentation and photos. Reconnect fuel supply and return lines using new O-rings. Install starter motor. Reconnect exhaust at turbocharger. Install radiator, fan assembly, and all cooling system hoses. Fill cooling system with proper OAT coolant. Fill engine with proper grade and quantity of oil. Reconnect transmission cooler lines and fill transmission with ATF+4. Install air intake system and engine cover. Reinstall batteries and connect positive then negative terminals.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts64 Nm (47 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Double-check all torque specifications were followed, especially TTY bolts which must not be reused
2. Verify all electrical connectors are fully seated with locking tabs engaged
3. Ensure all fluid levels are correct: engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid
4. Check that no tools or shop towels remain in engine bay
5. Verify all hose clamps are tight and properly positioned
6. Confirm AC system is ready for recharge by qualified technician

Verification

• Perform visual inspection of all connections, hoses, and wiring
• Check for any fluid leaks at oil pan, timing cover, and all connection points
• Prime fuel system by cycling ignition on/off several times without cranking
• Start engine and verify oil pressure registers within 5-10 seconds
• Monitor for unusual noises, vibrations, or warning lights during initial start
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature while checking for coolant, oil, or fuel leaks
• Verify proper operation of all accessories (alternator charging, AC compressor engagement, power steering)
• Check and adjust valve lash again after initial warm-up cycle per factory procedure
• Perform test drive under light load, monitoring all gauges and engine behavior
• Recheck all fluid levels after test drive and top off as needed
• Schedule follow-up oil and filter change after 500-1000 miles of break-in period
• Have AC system recharged and leak-tested by qualified technician
• Reset any adaptive learning parameters in ECM using appropriate scan tool

More procedures for this vehicle