Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 64

tensioner. Slowly open vise (1) to transfer piston spring force to lock pin. See Fig. 190.  

2. Position primary chain tensioner over oil pump and insert bolts into lower two holes on tensioner bracket. 

Tighten bolts to 28 N.m (250 in. lbs.). 

Fig. 191: Identifying Crankshaft Gear, Primary Chain Idler Sprocket & Special Tool 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

3. Install right side chain tensioner arm. Install Torx® bolt. Tighten Torx® bolt to 28 N.m (250 in. lbs.). 

4. Install the left side chain guide. Tighten the bolts to 28 N.m (250 in. lbs.). 

1 - SPECIAL TOOL 8429
2 - PRIMARY CHAIN IDLER SPROCKET
3 - CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET

CAUTION: The silver bolts retain the guides to the cylinder heads and the black 

bolts retain the guides to the engine block.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro

  

5. Install left side chain tensioner arm, and Torx® bolt. Tighten Torx® bolt to 28 N.m (250 in. lbs.).  

6. Install the right side chain guide. Tighten the bolts to 28 N.m (250 in. lbs.).  

7. Install both secondary chains onto the idler sprocket. Align two plated links on the secondary chains to be 

visible through the two lower openings on the idler sprocket (4 o'clock and 8 o'clock). Once the 
secondary timing chains are installed, position the Secondary Camshaft Chain Holder 8429 (1) to hold 
chains in place for installation. See Fig. 191.  

8. Align primary chain double plated links with the timing mark at 12 o'clock on the idler sprocket. Align 

the primary chain single plated link with the timing mark at 6 o'clock on the crankshaft sprocket.  

9. Lubricate idler shaft and bushings with clean engine oil. 

Fig. 192: Counterbalance Shaft Alignment Marks 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro

  

10. Install all chains, crankshaft sprocket, and idler sprocket as an assembly. After guiding both secondary 

chains through the block and cylinder head openings, affix chains with a elastic strap or equivalent. This 
will maintain tension on chains to aid in installation. Align the timing mark (2) on the idler sprocket gear 
(3) to the timing mark on the counterbalance shaft drive gear (1), then seat idler sprocket fully. Before 
installing idler sprocket bolt, lubricate washer with oil, and tighten idler sprocket assembly retaining bolt 
to 34 N.m (25 ft. lbs.). See Fig. 192. 

Fig. 193: Camshaft Sprocket V6 Marks 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

11. Align left camshaft sprocket "L" dot to plated link on chain.  

12. Align right camshaft sprocket "R" dot to plated link on chain. See Fig. 193. 

13. Remove Secondary Camshaft Chain Holder 8429, then attach both sprockets to camshafts. Remove 

excess oil from bolts, then Install sprocket bolts, but do not tighten at this time.  

14. Verify that all plated links are aligned with the marks on all sprockets and the "V6" marks on camshaft 

sprockets are at the 12 o'clock position. 

1 - COUNTERBALANCE SHAFT GEAR
2 - TIMING MARK
3 - IDLER SPROCKET GEAR

NOTE:

The idler sprocket must be timed to the counterbalance shaft drive gear 
before the idler sprocket is fully seated.

NOTE:

It will be necessary to slightly rotate camshafts for sprocket installation.

CAUTION: Remove excess oil from the camshaft sprocket bolt. Failure to do so 

can result in over-torque of bolt resulting in bolt failure.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro

  

Fig. 194: Tightening Left Side Camshaft Sprocket Bolt 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1 - TORQUE WRENCH
2 - CAMSHAFT SPROCKET
3 - LEFT CYLINDER HEAD
4 - SPECIAL TOOL 6958 SPANNER WITH ADAPTER 
PINS 8346

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ENGINE 3.7L - Service Information - Nitro