Carburated 1987 3.9 V6
#21
#22
#23
#24
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A couple things you can do.
1) K&N drop in air filter.
2) Remove restriction to air filter. There is an air tube that goes off the air filter to the grill. There is a block off tube over this tube at the grill that restricts flow. Take this piece off and cover the hole with some screen.
3) Tune-up. Running good plugs, dist cap, wires, rotor and good fuel filter helps performance.
4) Check ignition timing. Sometimes timing can be off and affect performance.
5) Exhaust. I put a Magnaflow cat and Heartthrob cat back exhaust on my Dakota.
6) Headers. Edelbrock makes nice headers that bolt right on to the 3.9 V6 pre-magnum engine.
7) Intake/carb. I believe that Mopar Performance had a 4bbl intake available for these engines, but not sure how easy they are to find.
I've done mods 1-6 to my 90 Dakota Sport and the improvement was noticeable.
1) K&N drop in air filter.
2) Remove restriction to air filter. There is an air tube that goes off the air filter to the grill. There is a block off tube over this tube at the grill that restricts flow. Take this piece off and cover the hole with some screen.
3) Tune-up. Running good plugs, dist cap, wires, rotor and good fuel filter helps performance.
4) Check ignition timing. Sometimes timing can be off and affect performance.
5) Exhaust. I put a Magnaflow cat and Heartthrob cat back exhaust on my Dakota.
6) Headers. Edelbrock makes nice headers that bolt right on to the 3.9 V6 pre-magnum engine.
7) Intake/carb. I believe that Mopar Performance had a 4bbl intake available for these engines, but not sure how easy they are to find.
I've done mods 1-6 to my 90 Dakota Sport and the improvement was noticeable.
#25
#27
#28
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What specific kind of spark plugs you think would be the best?,and I do plan to use the A/C but im not sure if it works, it cycles on and off but it needs to be recahrged, and what about changing the exaust system, i was thinking of taking the mufflers off if a 3.9 V6 sounds good and then have the pipes go strait from the engine and having it coming out about a foot in front of the rear tires though thats if it will increase any power and/or tourque but i still want to hear what others think could be done
#29
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Ignition Timing
Spark Control Computer
4379190
4379192
4379196
4379198
4379243
4379247
Basic Timing
6 deg BTDC
6 deg BTDC
6 deg BTDC
6 deg BTDC
6 deg BTDC
6 deg BTDC
Basic ignition Timing Adjustment 3.9L Engine
Locate and ground out the carburetor switch idle stop contact with a suitable jumper wire.
Disconnect and plug the vacuum lines at vacuum transducer on the SCC and the air switching valve on the emissions air pump.
Set the gearshift selector in park or neutral and apply the parking brake.
Using a magnetic timing unit, insert the pickup probe into the open receptacle at the left of the engine between the power steering and the water pumps. If a magnetic timing unit is not available, use a conventional power timing light connected to the number one cylinder spark plug wire.
Bring the engine to a normal running temperature. This can be done by allowing the engine to idle for 5 to 10 minutes when the ambient temperature is around 21°C (70°F).
Adjust the engine idle rpm to the specifications on the VECI label in the engine compartment.
Check the basic timing when using a power timing light). If the basic timing is correct, remove the jumper wire, reconnect the vacuum lines and disconnect all test equipment. If the basic timing is NOT correct, proceed to step 8
.
Loosen the distributor hold-down bolt allowing the distributor to be turned with some resistance and adjust the basic ignition timing to the specifications on the VECI label. After adjusting the basic ignition timing, recheck the idle rpm and secure the distributor. Recheck the timing once again to verify that the timing is correct.
Remove the jumper wire, reconnect the vacuum lines and check the idle rpm (adjust if necessary), disconnect all test equipment.
Spark Control Computer
4379190
4379192
4379196
4379198
4379243
4379247
Basic Timing
6 deg BTDC
6 deg BTDC
6 deg BTDC
6 deg BTDC
6 deg BTDC
6 deg BTDC
Basic ignition Timing Adjustment 3.9L Engine
Locate and ground out the carburetor switch idle stop contact with a suitable jumper wire.
Disconnect and plug the vacuum lines at vacuum transducer on the SCC and the air switching valve on the emissions air pump.
Set the gearshift selector in park or neutral and apply the parking brake.
Using a magnetic timing unit, insert the pickup probe into the open receptacle at the left of the engine between the power steering and the water pumps. If a magnetic timing unit is not available, use a conventional power timing light connected to the number one cylinder spark plug wire.
Bring the engine to a normal running temperature. This can be done by allowing the engine to idle for 5 to 10 minutes when the ambient temperature is around 21°C (70°F).
Adjust the engine idle rpm to the specifications on the VECI label in the engine compartment.
Check the basic timing when using a power timing light). If the basic timing is correct, remove the jumper wire, reconnect the vacuum lines and disconnect all test equipment. If the basic timing is NOT correct, proceed to step 8
.
Loosen the distributor hold-down bolt allowing the distributor to be turned with some resistance and adjust the basic ignition timing to the specifications on the VECI label. After adjusting the basic ignition timing, recheck the idle rpm and secure the distributor. Recheck the timing once again to verify that the timing is correct.
Remove the jumper wire, reconnect the vacuum lines and check the idle rpm (adjust if necessary), disconnect all test equipment.
#30
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Honestly as of now I didn't read any of that above but--Do you not realize this thread is over 5 years old!! Hell, I don't even drive my truck anymore and a lot of the ideas I had about it were stupid as hell back in '09. Hopefully i'll have it on the road next summer with the 318. Used as a work/fun truck.