Dodge W300 Club Cab Has FOUR DEAD Cylinders! Part 1

This old truck hasn't ran right since I acquired it, half the motor is dead! Can we figure out what's wrong with it??
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This N That Garage
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[@Pohleece222]

Mechanics like you that diagnose from experience/expertise and not just do plug in diagnostics are a rare breed. I'm always impressed with your tenacity and willingness to tackle any mechanical/electrical issue. Always look forward to your videos.

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Preshate that👍

[@terrymason-rw4wc]

broken motor mount

[@johndonahue1935]

Don't forget or overestimate the value of doing a vacuum test on the motor. It can tell you if leaking piston rings, a burned valve or bad spark plug, week valve springs, intake leak, bad head gasket, loose valve guides, or restricted exhaust.

[@ATOMSHAMRADIO]

Oyeah! Its Friday kicking my feet up and going to chill watch this n that garage. GREAT CHANNEL 👍💯✅

[@kevinjamesstout3066]

Hi Chad this is your Canadian subscriber Kevin, I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and all the best in 2023 also sending a prayer of good health love happiness and may God bless you and be with you always from High Prairie Alberta 🎅🎁🎄🌠

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Preshate that. Same to you! 👍

[@miatalevi5471]

Man i love these videos. I feel like I've learned a lot about how cars work and you show detailed enough views and explain it in ways that actually make sense. Keep going with these and please don't ever change how you do them.

[@dougparker4802]

I always find which cylinder is missing with a temp gun. Just check right at ex manifold and look for the variation cuz I don’t like getting shocked 😮

[@gmwrenchead]

Cylinders 6 & 7 are fed by the rear of the same plane on the intake. I would concentrate on some testing there, looking for a vacuum leak. Maybe try enriching that barrel of the carburetor with it idling to see if it responds. Don't forget vacuum leaks can happen under the intake that spraying around the top of the intake won't find. I commend you for your attitude, determination and ability, you have a great skill set and demeanor. Like Rat Rod Bob says, take the rest of the day off with pay!

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Already tried that and it tries to die on me. I don't know! 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Bobthebuilder.69]

You remind me of all my uncle's. We're from the Western part of NC and y'all even talk the same lol. They also tinker with anything that has tires. Please don't stop making these videos, they never disappoint !!!!! I'm learning alot about carb-rosters and points ignition along the way. You're a good egg (as grandpa used to say)

[@geebopbaluba1591]

Something to think about is the vacuum advance on the distributor may be leaking or hard and not working. I had that problem on my 78 blazer with a 350. Another thing is to check the coil and make sure it’s not wired backwards.

[@Jombi1950]

My husband says check the intake manifold for crack or gasket leak. I love watching you work on stuff. I learn a lot.

[@ghettsumm7949]

MOPAR distributors are notorious for wearing out and running sloppy. They can be all over the place. 😉

[@robertbennett9243]

You NEVER waste our time. All your videos are informative and fun. I bet that front grill bar setup was a pain to lean over or get around. Did you ever find a timing mark? I saw the upright poles to your new shop. They look like they want to have siding on them. Waiting for the next video.

[@williamfrench65]

Those older 318 engines are also notorious for intake gasket leaks.

[@oldodger]

Check the firing order....I had the same problem on a 318 many years ago. It was running like this one with 3 wires cross installed.

[@NoWr2Run]

How can it be the " CARB. " if your not getting spark to those cylinders ? Sounds like Dist. problems to me.

[@ralph5338]

That was a battle. My back is aching. Think I need to go to bed. Very educational. Thanks for sharing.

[@swanie_6448]

That truck surely has a lot of Gremlins and I commend you for your countless attempts to get to the bottom of them. You are one of the top KZbin Shows on the internet hands down Chad...!! Cheers and Merry Christmas to you and yours, from me and mine : )

[@michaelbennett1883]

FYI you can weld an old head bolt to the doomaflatchie on your jack and use it as a jack for a transfer case to keep it from falling and killing you. Axe me how I know lol

[@ralphcrume2173]

The porcelain resistor next to the control box can cause lots of trouble. Unplug and cut a couple of jumper wires to test it. Also the control box can come and go . It also needs a GOOD ground.

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Ballast resistor is fine. I think the electronic ignition either works or it don't. Preshate the help tho.

[@jasonstarnes3838]

Dang, i love that ole dodge. I started watching the channel because of that ole truck. Great work as always!!!

[@jgill1175]

Love the video Chad. These old Dodges can be quite finicky. I’ve ran into the same issue on multiple of my dodge trucks. Ignition Control Module should take care of that. Keep ‘em comin💯

[@LittleRedsGarage]

Bypass the ballast resistor on the fenderwell. Im no dodge guy but always heard they are notorious for causing weird ignition issues like this. Also run the engine in the dark and see if spark is jumping to ground causing the misfire.

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Voltage is very consistent at the coil at idle and revved up so the ballast resistor is fine.

[@LittleRedsGarage]

@@ThisNThatGarageStrange, somethings definitely wrong with that wiring somewere or electronic ignition. I would probably throw a points dizzy in it and if it still wouldent run fine after that then I dont know 🤔

[@theknifeconnection9571]

Here I am again. Telling everyone that this dude is my fav mechanical youtuber. Whoever is not subbed better get it done lol. Great content. Down to earth dude. And he always makes ya laugh. Go find the video where he’s in a cow field. Now that’s some funny shit. Love this dude and hope the best for him!!! Thanks for the amazing content

[@emerybryant]

i am not a dodge guy either. but those ignition modules are infamous for problems. 😅 so i highly recommend replacing it! i watch several dodge guys and the ignition modules are such a problem ive seen guys go through glove boxes and find 2 or 3 and then sometimes blown up ones behind or under seats. from my understanding fords are very similar. so if youre messing with either and suspect ignition problems. Just replace the box! good luck and i look forward to the next video!

[@gregsabo6371]

Has to be either a wiped cam lobe or 2 or the timing chain is just completely worn out

[@ThisNThatGarage]

All rockers move the same amount and a timing chain I don't think will cause just two certians cylinders to not fire.

[@lawrenceedwards6327]

The most important lesson my father taught me when I comes to mechanics was that “man built it, that means man can fix it.” He taught me to never be afraid to tear into anything. That lesson has served me well in all my years of driving old iron and working in the heavy construction industry.

[@ThisNThatGarage]

I use to tell them where I use to work that if a man built it then this man can figure it out eventually.

[@fyou4122]

Maybe it's sucking air on the inlet manifold gasket to heads. Garage derives from roman times. Origanly Italian. But same name in fifteen European countries. All from roman occupation.

[@billbeevers6864]

I've been a Mopar guy for 40+ years , one of the best things I've found is a company DUI makes a GM HEI distributor that fits a Mopar , bypasses the Dodge ignition, and much faster starting ....

[@TheIronDuke502]

Hello From Mark In Kentucky. Chad, I wanted to wish you a Very Merry Christmas. I wish that you lived closer to me, I have a 85 Ford F-150 with a 300 engine that I was told by a local business that the engine was bad. I was also told that my ECM was bad but the ignition system is still firing. The local shop told me that I have only 1 out of 6 that’s producing any real compression and was pushing me to purchase a Jasper ReMan Engine. I told them to bring my truck back home. For a worn out engine, It has great oil pressure and was not noisy when the engine was cold. The engine is a carbureted 300 rather than having the EFI in which I think that the head gasket may be bad. For right now, I am not too concerned being that the truck is here on my property.

[@CONEHEADDK]

Imagine a "parts bank". A company that had all parts that have been taken off a 100% fine motor, that you could rent for some time, and put on your problem car, and see, if that was the problem. Then you could save a hell of a lot of time trouble shooting. I wasted hours on a one cylinder two stroke years back, bcz it hadn'r been started fir ages, so I threw in a brand new plug, and went through everything else more tha once - reset everything. I "knew" everything was right, even before I started to fiddle with it, as it had been my own for decades, and I had done eveything my self, so my brain was starting to melt.. It was - of course - the brand new plug... So much for bragging to my new girl friend "I can start anythinbg in 15 minutes".. :D

[@doughboy1966]

Those old Dodge starters sound like their saying no no no no no no when their turning over.

[@donniethacker7886]

Put a ground wire from engine to the body ,I had a Cordoba that was haunted, and somehow a rachet got laid where it made a ground and was sparking to the firewall ran perfect so I just put a wire from engine to firewall and drove it for years after.

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Has one already.

[@donaldjarvis8352]

Several years ago, I had a Dodge pickup with a 318 motor. i had a similar problem. Motor had a bad miss. A buddy of mine told me to pull the intake. He said the 318 was bad about the intake ports plugging up with carbon. He was right. Two or three ports were plugged. Cleaned out the ports and reinstalled the intake with new gaskets and the problem was solved.

[@1970Coronet_green]

Oh, bad show trying to get the old Dodge to run smoothly. I can't wait for part 2 from which you shall emerge triumphant over the Dodge......

[@wilkersonsmowershop8379]

Maybe lifters are down on 6 and 7. I couldn't hear hear any valve noise. I don't know Chad. I think that truck is cursed.

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Rockers are all moving the same amount.

[@kevinanderson1945]

My experience with chrysler products,those sparkplugs don't look right. Should be a longer plug that goes further into the cylinder head. Just a thought.

[@harrywalker5836]

dont check up on the dodge ignition, its rubbish,,theres vids on fitting a chev module, better cheaper cleaner.. if i was in u.s. id buy that truck, cit it down to 2.9 metre, swb..keep it std, except for that..

[@donnal4304]

Another fine fine video.Never disappoints!!!!🤓Thank you!!!!

[@92xl]

I do believe I would get a vacuum gauge hooked up and check vacuum at idle, I am going to say you have a manifold gasket leak or warped mating surface or possibly a crack in the manifold. Your compression check ruled out valve issues and your parts tossing at the entire ignition system has ruled out any kind of potential spark issue. You have a vacuum leak.

[@statencooper9341]

I was just setting here waiting to watch your videos to come on thanks

[@noahingram8052]

I'm putting a gm HEI conversion distributor on my 318

[@ThisNThatGarage]

It's a good possibility this one will get an hei.

[@tobyjo57]

Just wondering if some plug leads are out of sequence going to the wrong plugs. If any fire correctly they should all fire. Try the firing order if yo can please. Love your videos

[@oldssupreme1986]

I had a 76 Chrysler Newport with a 400 that had a random miss on random cylinders. I changed the carb to a new one, full tune up, all electronics and all the vacuum hoses, and still no change. What it ended up being was a tooth or two had a minor chip on the reluctor and just a tickle of shaft play and it was not magnetizing like the other teeth. I changed the whole distributor with a cheap one from Rockauto and it ran mint after that

[@ThisNThatGarage]

It's a possibility.

[@robertlacob8831]

@@ThisNThatGarage I had a similar problem in the late seventies also with a dist. The reluctor air gap should be set with a non-magnetic material (brass) feeler gauge. As you turn the reluctor in your hand, each point on it should create a magnetic field. You should feel it each turn on every point. The ignition boxes to me were pretty bullet proof as long it was grounded to the body good, being the ballast resisters were the big problems. Nver leave home without a spare ballast in the glove box. If all that electronic stuff is ok, then time to look into intake manifold runners or sloppy/jumped timing chain. If this engine is a 360, it is externally balances by the front cully and torque converter. Did change a few timing chains in my career Good luck, never give up! The truth is out there..

[@nboldrini]

Sounded like you were onto something when you changed vacuum lines around....Recheck.

[@mattmcclaren215]

I would investigate valve timing and the missing timing mark. I know the balancer can slip and move the timing mark, but might be worth a look. I had a 318 that didn't have consistent issues like this and it turned out the main issue was the timing chain and sprockets. Vacuum readings might reveal it.

[@davidj.collins2239]

Could it be a head gasket? Even with good compression. I have to agree I would be stumped also. Or could it be intake manifold gasket?

[@ThisNThatGarage]

No symptoms of head gasket.

[@davidj.collins2239]

I agree about the head gasket but there is a hard failure on the two cylinders. Wish makes me think about what is a hard break in the combustion process. Which leads me to think of a vacuum or compressor issue. I think the intake manifold gasket or maybe the manifold is not seating correctly causing a big vacuum leak or possibly a blockage in the intake for the two cylinders. Just thinking out of the box. I feel sure you will find it!

[@joshjablonicky171]

I see the poles are going up for the shop. Absolutely cannot wait to see the progress on it

[@ATOMSHAMRADIO]

Them carbarosters you are the carboaroster king🤣👍✅

[@michaelhumphrey8998]

YOU NEED TO TRY CHECKING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OR JUST CHANGE THE MANAFOLD WITH THE OTHER ONE THAT YOU HAVE

[@57russj]

I had a 76 Dodge that would not run right if I put in anything but Champin spark plugs

[@davidkirby8440]

Intake gasket could be leaking and causing it to have a rough idle hope this helps

[@toddfields9128]

Thar was my though as well

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Checked with carb cleaner so unless it's on the underside then that ain't it. That is possible tho.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid, looking forward to part 2 🙂👍

[@xXGenuwineXW0lfensteinXx]

Hope mad winters is treating you better than the people us here in indanaa ..

[@camerazeye7923]

6 n 7... what about wires to cylinder. u have done everything else! ... still love these vids

[@grinch1963]

By far the BEST on KZbin!! I'd give almost anything to have just a 10% of your knowledge and patience. Thanks for always teaching me something while giving me a laugh too !

[@ThisNThatGarage]

You're too kind.

[@dhh1979]

Maybe bad new wires on 6 & 7?

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Copper wires so doubtful but possible.

[@kevinsukdolak5007]

That is a nice looking truck. It would clean up nice.

[@matthewanderson7766]

You want to know what I really love when I see you post a new vid keep up the great work

[@genedunn9283]

I’m thinking to maybe try a different distributor. Also could try one of those Hobo Freight inline spark checkers to see if spark is getting to #6 & 7 while the engine is running.

[@ThisNThatGarage]

New copper wires. I'm not saying it ain't possibly but I've never had copper wires fail me.

[@michaelhaiden6718]

All I can say is no I have had intermittent plug wires before

[@erichgreen82grandparitchie23]

NICE TO SEE YOU DOING IT??=ALWAY A PLEASURE ON YOUR VIDS=='RITCHIE''

[@llewis7324]

Might have to pull the intake to check for a blockage," just an idea"

[@kirk467]

Thanks for sharing Chad, another good video even if the problem isn’t complete solved but I have no doubt that you’ll baste your mind thinking about it and finally figure it out brother! Thanks for sharing and God Bless you my friend, as always sending prayers for you and your family! Kirk from Lake Charles Louisiana, I’m not a mechanic but I’m a retired welder, so if you need any welding questions answered I’ll do my best to help Chad! Thanks buddy!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻🙏🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@markcole6475]

Wondering if one side of the exhaust is plugged if it’s got dual exhaust? Also wondering if it’s got an egr valve and it’s hanging open? Good stuff…always up for a challenge.. What’s really odd also is the timing indicator doesn’t light up on number 1 cyl…. I’d still try an ignition module if all else fails! Maybe one from another truck in the woods?

[@wildbenny11]

See if the spark plugs is working hook to the wire chad

[@bwehrend1]

I love your videos man keep up the great work! I'm no professional mechanic but love watching your videos, seems you have some parts trucks, saw you tried the modules from them but Did you ever try swapping out the entire distributor from the other parts trucks you have? You might be able to eliminate the distributor entirely that way as a problem "even if they aren't good the problem should get worse or change some", highly unlikely they would fail the same two cylinders and be bad in exactly the same way the current one is. Just an idea, good luck and God bless you and yours!

[@AnthonyRBlacker]

Boy that ol' girl is in rough shape in the beginning here.. Glad you're gettin' to her though, love to see an old truck getting back on the road!

[@patriotmob3227]

hell yea a This N That video...

[@michealgrider8487]

With the junk we are getting now days its possible that the new spark plug wires are bad ohm them out . If their good chuck that distributer in the trash. They make a gm style distributer that will fit a 318. engine. Check amazon dodge 318 distributer. Sometimes its easier to club her on the head than sweet talk her if you catch my drift. Your troubleshooting is spot on good channel.

[@1SmittysGarage]

Another great video. Excellent troubleshooting indeed! A win in my book my friend! Blessings and respect!

[@buddyjohn]

Good thng ya moved the turdage, the roof on that garage looks like its about to land on it.

[@watcherchannel3393]

I would recommend getting rid of the stock ignition system. You can easily swap these over to a GM style HEI. Mortske Repair has a good video on it. It’s a huge improvement over the electrical nightmare that is a 70’s Mopar ignition system.

[@rondierckens6618]

Buddy did same and said it never ran that good ever after the swap the box's are junk once they get older ..junk

[@micahyork124]

Of all the one's I watch, you and Mortsky are the BEST! If I had money, parts or ANYTHING I could send, you sir would have it!!! No lie!

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Preshate it 👍

[@ionracer24]

Every 318/360 that has misses or wont run on all cylinders i've ever encountered had a bad timing chain cam gear. they are aluminum and wear very quickly. Most dont make it over 100 grand. If they jump time or knock a coupla teeth off, it'lll miss like that and bend a valve or all. If i were u, i'd look there next. Those engines are notorious for this and if ur luck u'll get away with a bent push rod, most likely, tho they'll bend a valve. When they are in time and have a good timing set, they'll run forever. i love em but ya gotta catch em before the gear self destructs or its machine shop city.... Good luck

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Compression is too good for a bent valve. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ionracer24]

@@ThisNThatGarage true but the miss could be a missin or worn tooth or three on the cam gear or sloppy chain. what i meant was, if it goes south, thats what happens with the valves. unfortunately theyre interference engines.

[@ThisNThatGarage]

@@ionracer24 The chain would have to be pretty sloppy to cause misfires. According to what I saw rotating the motor by hand there's very little slop and I don't think it would consistently cause it on the same two cylinders. Preshate the input.

[@ionracer24]

@@ThisNThatGarage welcome, just thought I'd try n give u a place to dig

[@evanchapmanfanman]

I’ve been working on a ‘54 ford with a 239? Y block in it, it was rough running, turned out the firing order was wrong and I think it had some carbon buildup. Correcting the firing order fixed most of the miss but I ended up just using my right foot and once I did that, I could balance a coin on the rocker cover. Motor sat for 40 years and was partially locked up. Still builds 50 lbs oil pressure at idle.

[@roberthughart338]

I would change out that reluctor wheel with one from another truck. It mite have whore down with it rubbing on the old pickup. Did you check that vacuum advance.

[@geekhillbilly2636]

A dead spark plug wire is often the cause on these old Dodge trucks. I've messed with several and 9 times out of 10, bad wires. I got to the point of getting a spool of wire and hand made the plug wires myself.

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Brand new wires. It's possible but not likely out of copper wires.

[@theodoredugranrut8201]

Definitely not a waste of our time, probably saved some one some time. The only times I've seen this X2 both times turned out to be lobes on camshaft had been rubbed off. Central California watching

[@ThisNThatGarage]

I turned it over when I had the valve cover off and all rockers were moving.

[@EarlyV8Dude417]

A vacuum gage is a handy diagnostic tool. 😀👍

[@dale5303]

This is why dodge got a contract with cummins, good job man love the videos!

[@clydepodvin5026]

Love watching your videos, never know what to expect. Very entertaining. Keep them coming.

[@teddermachineworks]

This channel is the best thing on KZbin.

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Preshate that.

[@acla6398cell]

I was waitin on this!

[@craighmacdonald9715]

A true life lesson on how repairs go with no editing love your patience and determination no video is ever a waste of time keep them coming

[@dennishernden2264]

I also believe you could have a slopp timing chain, once had a pickup that ran fantabulously for months, not a single issue and then one day I drove over a speed bump at walking speed and that was enough to make it jump, apparently it was sloppy the entire time.

[@ThisNThatGarage]

I don't think the chain would cause the same two cylinders to not fire. That would probably be more of a random misfire.

[@dennishernden2264]

@@ThisNThatGarage Those two cylinders are dropping out at the same power band. idle with no load, you said that the drivers side bank at the front also were dropping out at one point (nearly 180 out from pass side) , plus you were unable to verify TDC timing at the harmonic balancer -- an easy test would be to use your inductive timing light as an an engine analyzer, put it on the dropping out cyl, and rev the engine, if the cylinders that are dropping out moves, barring a worn dist. and/or a flakey electronic module its most likely a hard failure on your timing chain.

[@denniskindrick6078]

I think I would change intake manifold just for fun Incase it's plugged

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Your idea of fun is A LOT different than mine! 🤣

[@jasonstarnes3838]

I would love to have that ole w300 dodge. Its awesome!!!

[@geraldharkness8830]

your patience is just amazing!

[@curtisdanielsforservice4131]

My 50 years experience I always check for a lean misfire spraying fuel down the carburetor at a hot idle to see if it picks up the misfire

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Tried it. That worked on the F600 but not this one.

[@wildbenny11]

Check your wireing something is cross

[@waynecap5960]

Have you ever raised the hood on that truck at night with no lights on to check for jumping spark plug wires ? When we were kids that's how we checked. just saying.... Great video.

[@docholliday5439]

I know what the problem is. It's very simple. The problem is that it is a 🤮 DODGE! 🤠🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Possibly!

[@docholliday5439]

@@ThisNThatGarage I have given up on Chevy, Dodge and Ford's! 🤠🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵

[@zoldcarsntrucks]

I got the same thing going on with my mopar, hopefully you figure it out for me

[@ThisNThatGarage]

If you figure yours out let me know!

[@zoldcarsntrucks]

@@ThisNThatGarage guess I should make a video

[@DuctTapes78]

I'm gonna say distributor play, May not seem like alot but a little can be alot on a running engine. One other thing, only checked for vacuum leaks around the carb, maybe check the intake gasket at the heads to see if there's a leak. Heat cycles may have helped the gaskets. Could be simple as loose intake bolts or cracked intake somewhere. I'm just making guesses. Will be interesting to figure out exactly what it is thou.

[@ThisNThatGarage]

Checked the intake also with carb cleaner. It's got me stumped for sure.

[@DuctTapes78]

@@ThisNThatGarage ah, I seen when you did around the carb, missed it around the rest of intake. Could throw an inline spark tester on # 6&7 and see if it's losing spark that's causing miss. If not losing spark, then definitely fuel or just the two plugs, which can be swapped with 2 from other cylinders. See if miss changes cylinders, then its plugs. If it doesn't then fuel/intake most likely. But like ya said, take a break for awhile, scratch your head and then you'll get it figured out eventually.

[@DuctTapes78]

Maybe change out the reluctor wheel, it's the easiest thing to do.

[@joe3973]

Spark plug wires 6 and seven no good .

[@ernmeister54]

You might try measuring the resistance of the plug wires. I have found some with high resistance that cuts down the voltage to the plug. Just a thought.

[@ThisNThatGarage]

They are copper wires.

[@patdurkin5642]

I think i can i think i can

[@merc-ni7hy]

try swapping those 2 dead cylinders plug wires with a known good [ used ] pair of wires ..or swap 2 good cylinders with the 2 bad ones and see if the miss fallows the wires

[@andrewcooper8980]

For entertainment purposes only 😂

[@richmill6043]

Wow! Lot of work. You don't give up, but you will get it. Please let us know when you figure it out! 👌👌