Hi, my 74 Dodge 300 has a screeching noise. I started it this winter to run her at a idle. The choke stuck and by the time I shut her down (I was snowblowing) the oil had about 2 gal. of gas in it. After fresh oil, filter and fuel pump it has a terrible high pitched screeching noise. I dropped the pan and it appears to be a bushing/ bearing in the oil pump dist. shaft area( oil burned off block), not a spun main. Any help with how to check the shaft remove it ect. This is a farm work truck that I would like to save without complete overhaul or replacement. Thanks in advance for any ideas. Kurly

Might be the cam bearing. They don't like running in gasoline, and your engine won't oil properly if they've spun.
If you want to be able to trust the truck not to strand you, pull the engine and rebuild it. It's cheaper than getting another truck. All engine bearings that ran in gasoline diluted oil have likely taken damage, the rings too.

Replace the pump, and see what happens, but don't try to drive the thing long distances without opening it up and checking it out. It could park you someplace inconvenient.

2¢

CJ

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

Is this a 225? If so there is no oil pump drive shaft except the one in the oil pump itself and no bushing at all. The oil pump is driven by a gear on the cam. If you are seeing bearing material around the cam then you probably spun a cam bearing which is a lot of work to repair. In fact there may be damage to the block.

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Joshua

I don't take the truck out of the county or drive it on the freeway, but it is great for hauling firewood ect. The oil light was on before I changed the oil, then it went off with fresh oil. It has just the loudest high pitched squeal and the light is on constantly. I can hear the mains rattling now. Can I pull the oil pump or cam shaft to verify before pulling the engine? All this and I didn't drive it one mile . Thanks again, Kurly

PS. it is a 225 and I have not seen any bearing material in the oil, how would I see it around the cam, pull front cover? I have rebuilt engines but never had the experience with the trusty slant 6 Kurly

Kurly I think the thing is toast. The easiest will be to find a new motor and swap pan and pickup.

Where are you located?

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

I found a 225 on Craigslist in Milwaukee ( 20 miles away) for $250. Its from a '69 Dart GT. W/ automatic trans.. Would it fit in a 74 dodge 300 with 4 on the floor? I would think all I would have to do is swap the bell housing?? Are they all the same? Thanks again from Wisconsin. Kurt

The thing to watch for is the pilot bushing in the end of the crankshaft. An engine originally mated to an automatic will probably not have the bushing installed and may not have the pocket machined for a bushing. If this is the case, there is a cheap and easy way around it by using the pilot bearing from a late model truck. I'm sure someone else can fill in details if needed.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.