I know several people who wouldn't even drive their trucks until the KDP was fixed after finding out about the problem.
Guess it all depends on how much you want to tempt fate.

 

a timing case bolt backing out and falling into the gears can do the same thing

 

I didn't kill it it was said to be killed before. I have not found anything so far that proves any different. The timing cover is in great shape and is not a stock case. There has been a noise coming from the front side of the motor for prolly a month, so i'm with you i think it has been cracked or something for some time now. Yes there are very few reuseable parts left a motor swap is in order. I also am suprised it drove home now that i have found all of this stuff broken and bent.

Lol! I'm in that very state of mind. Not very satisfied with it since it's nearly stock. But i do however run it hard from time to time. So this is what i get i guess.

I wish i could figure out what really caused it but I think this is gonna be one of those "you'll never know" things.

 

Did it sound like running a screwdriver down a chain link fence?
That's what a loose dowel pin sounds like.

 

OK, after hearing this I am thinking I should open mine up and loctite all the bolts. I staked, tabbed and loctited the KDP but sounds like the other bolts can be a problem as well?

 

I've worked on these engines for a long time and have never come across even one where a bolt has come out and caused damage. In fact I don't remember anyone on any of the diesel message boards claiming it's happened.

I personally don't worry about it.
Where does it stop?
Should you take the entire engine apart looking for loose bolts?

 

bill, i do that just for fun

i bought a b series for my apprentice classes to disassemble and rebuild. so now you know what i do all day when i dont have anyone to teach. talk about loving my job

 

There was a guy on TDR a few years back who removed all the nuts and bolts on his entire truck just so he could put anti-seize on them
Guess if you don't have anything else to do...

 

Well i don't know how most people change the timing case but some like to just remove the gear and heat it up to reinstall it. A friend and i assume the guy that changed the case did the remove gear way and used a torch or something like it to heat it and made it brittle therefore the gear broke after some time. Also, no it didn't sound nothing like that infidel, it sounded more like the gear was half broke and rubbing the front cover. I also checked and no bolts were loose on the timing case and the KDP was definately killed, as it is still in there. I'm sure the cam gear is the cause of this but like i said before how will you ever know for sure, you wont.

 

Yeah id get it done asap. Ive got 2 friends that have had theirs fall out in the last month

 

I was surprised they only recomend 18 ft/lbs on them bolts. seems like not enough to me. I socked all the ones I could get to down to 22-24 ft/lbs.

 

The low torque is because you are pushing up against aluminum. Overtorquing smashes the aluminum severely weaking it.