[dovers85]

I just bought my 1st Dodge product yesterday. I bought a 1985 RamCharger , 4x4, w/ 360 engine. Bought it from a co-worker of mine.
Truck has ran great for several years, ran great all the way home from his house to mine. However, This morning, fired it up, put it in drive, pressed the accelerator and boom, backfire through the exhaust & the carb. It kept on doing this multiple backfireing through the carb & exhaust, spitting, sputtering, shaking and barely any acceleration. When I put it in park or neutral and mash the accelerator it slightly backfires once or twich then it revs fine.
What all could be causing this ?
Whats odd is it gave no warning at all just fine one day bad the next.
Thank you in advance for any help you can offer me !

 

[Slanted_Mind]

Something is up with the timing. Your timing chain may have jumped a tooth. To verify, bring #1 piston to TDC compression (pull #1 spark plug, put finger over hole and rotate engine until you feel pressure trying to come out of hole---when pressure stops, you are close to TDC compression) Now look at the timing mark on the dampener. It should be close to zero (unless you get exact TDC compression you will be off a few degrees). Also pull the dist cap. It should be pointing at or close to #1 plug wire. If these are both way off, your timing chain most likely jumped.

DON'T DRIVE THE TRUCK WHILE THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS. Get it fixed. Backfires thru the carb can do much more damage (fire, FUBAR the carb, bend valves/pushrods, etc), backfires thru the exhaust can blow your muffler & cats.

-SM

 

[dovers85]

Thank you very much, I will check that out and I will not be driving it until I get it fixed.

 

[dovers85]

Replaced my Dist.Cap, Rotar, wires, & plugs. Runs like a champ now.
Ram Charging back into business.

 

[Slanted_Mind]

 

[1978ramcharger]

I was going to say I had the same problem, especially in the mornings, before I got a new carb. I would reccommend the edelbrock 795 cfm 1905 q-jet, it works great! But if you fixed it, then good for you.

 

[dovers85]

I do need a new carb. It works ok, choke sticks sometimes and yes it is hard to start in cold morning. It also leaks a little out the bottom. I will check into the carb you suggested.

Thanks,
dovers 85

What do you think about the :
Holley Reman carbs.
1985    Ramcharger    5.9L    4BBL    64-70106    All w/ Rochester #17085408, 417, 431
It's cheaper ($) than the Eldebrock, but is it " Cheaper " (as in junk) ?