What is the killer dowel pin?
The timing cover locating dowel pins on some trucks,mostly 94-98s were affected.After the 98 yr,cummins reduced the size of the hole in the timing housing so it would fit tighter,and couldnt fall out.The fit was loose,and the pin would work its way out over time,eventually it fell onto the gear drive for the camshaft.It can do serious damage,usually it blows a hole in the timing gear housing,and continues to run while pumping oil out.If your lucky it will fall right down into the oil pan,where it will just roll around harmlessly.Timing housing is a big job on a cummins,the cam needs to come out to change it,as does the inj pump needs to come off the cover as well. The PM is easy,takes about 2 hrs,remove timing cover,drive pin back in,and make up a tab to hold it in place.There is a bolt right next to the pin,so a homemade oblong washer under the bolt will hold it in,problem solved.If i had a truck from those years,I would do the KDP fix,just to avoid the potential problem.
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/dodge/0706dp_1997_dodge_ram_kdp/index.html
page 2 of the article shows a great pic of the dowel pin tab. You dont need to buy this kit,just get the new gasket,seal,and make a tab,use some locktite,and your done.
this is a better site
http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/Dowel_Pin/tab.htm