Dodge equipped the 1995 Dakota with a 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine as standard equipment. As optional equipment, the 3.9 liter six-cylinder and the 5.2 liter eight-cylinder engines were also available. When a major component of any of the three engines is installed, care must be taken not to damage the engine block or the component itself by overtightening the component's fasteners. Dodge assigned tightening or "torque" specifications to each engine to avoid this risk.
Torque each of the 2.5 liter's intake manifold fasteners to 17 foot-pounds. Torque the 3.9 liter's manifold fasteners to 25 foot-pounds, then torque the fasteners a second time to 40 foot-pounds. Torque the 5.2 liter's manifold fasteners in three steps. First, torque the fasteners to 12 inch-pounds. Second, torque the fasteners to 72 inch-pounds. Finally, torque the fasteners to 12 foot-pounds.
Torque each of the 2.5 liter's exhaust manifold fasteners to 17 foot-pounds. Torque the fasteners on the ends of the 3.9 liter's manifold to 15 foot-pounds, and the remaining fasteners to 20 foot-pounds. Torque all of the 5.2 liter's manifold fasteners to 25 foot-pounds.
Torque the main bearing cap fasteners to 30 foot-pounds, then torque the fasteners an additional 90 degrees. Torque the caps on the 3.9 liter and 5.2 liter engines to 85 foot-pounds.
Torque the connecting rod bearing caps to 40 foot-pounds, then torque the fasteners an additional 90 degrees. Torque the caps on the 3.9 liter and 5.2 liter engines to 45 foot-pounds.
Torque the cylinder head fasteners to 45 foot-pounds, then torque all fasteners to 65 foot-pounds. Finally, torque each fastener an additional 90 degrees. Torque each of the 3.9 liter's head fasteners to 50 foot-pounds, then torque the fasteners a second time to 105 foot-pounds. Torque each of the 5.2 liter's head fasteners to 105 foot-pounds.
