1984 Dodge Ram Engine Problems Part 1

[@darrenfarr4890]

Really enjoyed this and am looking forward to watching video on this project. Remember when these were all over the place but like more today than in 1969. Good work, partner, cant wait!

[@FanelliRestorations]

thank you darren I appreciate it!

[@danielmiller6405]

@@FanelliRestorations what was the fix????

[@peturkristinsson9463]

Looking forward to this series

[@FanelliRestorations]

thanks for watching man!

[@peturkristinsson9463]

@@FanelliRestorations aren't you worried about the rust on your truck? How's the frame? Im really worried about my 88, its also got a 318 and 4 speed, but with tbi instead of a carburetor.

[@FanelliRestorations]

@@peturkristinsson9463 I mean yes I wish the bed wasn't as rotted as it is but I bought it a year ago from Ohio where it was used for snow plowing and it saw a lot of salt im sure. The frame is actually still very solid no rot or cracks, just rust scaling which can be cleaned easy. She looks worse than she is. That's cool though man!

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Friggen Dodges Eh? Gotta love'em!

[@FanelliRestorations]

yup..pains in the rear lol

[@GarrettSanderson]

I have an 84 RamCharger with a 318 and holly carb too. Literally was going through this same issue. Would die the second I gave it some gas. My carburetor is currently being rebuilt and should be done tomorrow. Can't wait for part 2 to see if you figure out whats going on with your rig. Worried that when I get the carb back my issues wont be solved and if that is so hoping your solution will help me out.

[@FanelliRestorations]

I agree man and I am curious to see what you discover too, because I pulled the tank found it was full of crap, cleaned it as best I could, maybe a little bit of small crud left, redid the fuel neck and filler lines, sending unit, steel lines from tank to fuel pump, new fuel pump (autozone brand), fuel filter, left the original steel line going from filter behind the alternator to the carb, then the new carb too. It ran ok after all that for a few days then would do the same. I wound up replacing the distributor because an old friend said these dodges sometimes have a failure in the distrib electronics and the power kicks off and causes it to shut down. The original issue was more that; driving and randomly it shut down like the key was turned off. Then after the distrib it ran excellent last 4 months. Then this started, which seems more fuel starvation because it does turn off on its own again but its introduced this new issue to die also when you get it just above idle. Then sometimes it will like catch and rev fine and get going for a few seconds, then shut down again. What I failed to observe the first time after it ran good again was if the accelerator squirters on in the carb would spray fuel when I hit the carb by hand (to simulate pumping the pedal to prime it to start) because now when I try this I get nothing out the squirters when i bump it. So I am still working on it sadly not sure if the carb got gunked up and that's all it is. may need to rebuild mine too.

[@GarrettSanderson]

@@FanelliRestorations Oh man! What a pain, rebuilding a brand new carb! I hope that mine isn't that bad and its just the carburetor. I never had the issue where it would just die while driving. Hope you get it figured out and I will gladly share anything that I think might help.

[@FanelliRestorations]

thanks @@GarrettSanderson I hope so too, if I get it figured I will let you know for sure!

[@GarrettSanderson]

Fanelli Restorations hey man so good news for me I guess is I got mine running really nice once I got it to start by priming the carb with gas. Hope you get yours figured out soon. I’ll be looking forward to the solution!

[@FanelliRestorations]

@@GarrettSanderson great to hear man! and I think I was on to something last night, I will have an update soon!

[@charliegarrison9688]

Hehe my 84 ram 318 doesn't fire unless it's above 31 degrees 😂 but it runs like a striped ape when the weather's good!

[@itsyaboyadriane556]

I also have an 1984 Dodge Ram and it dose the same thing yours did

[@Str8sixfan]

I have the same thing with my Fairmont, but seems to be only when it's cold. After I start it again after it falls on its face, it runs fine. I did change the fuel filter, do think that the gas is really old in the tank though. I mean at the very least it has been running off of gas from August

[@FanelliRestorations]

Hmmm. gas from august isn't that old to deteriorate even with the ethanol these days, unless it was mixed into even older gas when you got it. May be worth getting one of these $10 pumps i got here and sucking out the old fuel just in case and starting fresh. What you're describing sounds almost more like a carb/choke adjustment where it just needs to warm up. If it doesn't die after it's warmed up then it's not too bad.

[@EfurdGarage]

my guess would either be a rubber line collapsing, i had that issue in my work truck, even had an issue with a new rubber line that with tank in the line from the sending unit to the new steel would bend causing issues. im not keen on dodge but do you have an ignition module

[@FanelliRestorations]

I was suspecting that too, I replaced all the rubber lines and there's only one maybe 8 inches in length with no bend coming out of the sending unit on top of the tank connecting to the steel line that goes up to the front, and little rubber between pump and fuel filter which could be but again I replaced too. I also did replace the ignition module distributor coil and plugs. I've heard of the bulk head connector going bad and causing shut downs, I tried wiggling it and touching it while it ran and that never caused it to turn off..so I am still perplexed by this old truck

[@EfurdGarage]

@@FanelliRestorations at that point I guess the only thing I would try is another fuel pump, maybe a bad fuel pump rod. It seems it could not be getting enough gas. I kinda wanna say vapor lock but I don't think that's it. Unless you just have an odd vacuum leak.

[@danielmiller6405]

Exact same truck and exact same problem here. Help!!

[@xjrope]

Haven't seen whole vid but 1st thing I thought was the lobe for the fuel pump was warn out

[@newenglandendler]

my guess is the screen in the tank is falling apart and clogged your carb or the seals in the fuel pump are defective allowing air in

[@FanelliRestorations]

was some of my oriignal suspicions too but I replaced the entire fuel system it's got a brand new stainless sending unit from LMC Truck in there, and the fuel pump is new too.

[@newenglandendler]

wouldnt hurt to check all wires that would be hot in the on position / i know theres a few

[@thegamingmonkey6885]

I got an 86 d250 and Its running to much fuel and fouling my sparkplugs out but im not blowing and black smoke through the exhaust it drives fine but idles really rough

[@newenglandendler]

or you forgot to tighten one of those replaced lines or a line is defective and is collapsing or clogged , check the ends there maybe a split in the hose

[@FanelliRestorations]

checked all the lines they are tight shouldn't be air leaking into the fuel system but I was suspecting that. Replaced all rubber fuel lines and basically the whole system

[@newenglandendler]

ok one more and i wont bug you anymore is there a part throttle solenod on the transmission or start switch on that year truck? i am a little lost with all my books in storage at the min

[@FanelliRestorations]

hmm I;m not sure if it has either of those

[@newenglandendler]

just for the hell of it ,while its turning over spray wd40/starting fluid around egr- base of carb ect if it starts / or rpms go up youre on to something wish i was there in person i like figuring stuff out

[@FanelliRestorations]

lol yup tried that too, no idle increase, gave no signs of vacauum leak, I wish too could use the help. posting part 2 today youll see more if what i tested

[@newenglandendler]

my only other guess or 2 is no/weak spark- major vac leak

[@FanelliRestorations]

was suspecting that ways back too, replaced the whole igniton system the spark is fine but maybe the igniton is cutting off in general. Vacuum leaks I tested for a while ago too..I am at a loss with this truck lol

[@rogerburns9960]

You might be better of checking some of your electronic wiring! Fusible links was a common problems with these models!

[@doober8349]

What engine is that

[@kapekodbob]

Double crimp ! Once where you crimp the metal to the copper then again where you crip the insulator to the insulation of the wire. That way there will be no flexing of the copper at the metal and less chance of separating.

[@FanelliRestorations]

True yes I normally do, just didn't do it in that part. Next installment of this series you'll see I did, thanks for the advice

[@DavibPortnoy]

Sock filter in tank cut off my 84 dodge fixed problem