Thought I had my problem licked.NOT.Ran it for 20 min yesterday and was fine.Seems after it warmed up started running rough.Here's the rundown.

92 3.9 2wd auto LE

Symtoms:Rough running,skipping,popping,black smoke from tailpipe

I've done:Plugs,wires,cap,rotor,idle air controller,speed sensor,throttle position sensor.,Fuel pressure test,tested cat...Cat and pressure came back good..I'm almost ready to throw in the towel on this.

Could the crank or cam sensor have anything to do with this? I was thinking if it were either of those it would run rough constantly.Will sit idle all day this why I am thinking either the regulator or pump.BUT,I dont see a snap ring on the regulator anywhere..Crazy4x4 sent me a pic of it but can't seem to find the damn snapring.

I'm running out of time,patience and money here.Thanx for all the help so far everyone..........

 

Yes the crank or cam sensor could be the problem. Post up a pic of how your regulator looks.

I don't know if we ran over it but, did you check to make sure your distributor is correctly positioned?

 

My wife is comming back today she was outta town and has the camera.Will take a pic and have it on here by tomorrow.Do you need the pic with the regulator in or out?I can do both np..As far as the distriibutor goes it's all good.This thing ran beautiful for about 2-1/2 months after I did a tune-up then started to act up.Within 3 weeks got so bad I couldn't drive it anymore.If it were the distributor wouldn't it run rough constantly?I said it before also this thing will set idle all day and run fine.Still seems as though too much fuel is beng dumped hense why My exhaust was getting hot.Wasn't the CAT like I had figured but,pressure test came back good.We did 3 tests to be sure and even left the guage on over night with no change.It's holding 37-42 psi..This alone seems low but everyone I know I have talked with says this is fine...
I am also ordering a new regulator today.Hoping this works but we will see.Thanks to your pics you sent me I now knnow how to change it and have sent the other rail back...thanx for all your help.

 

Almost forgot,I also changed the sparks plugs again the other day..They were BLACK!!My father had the same problem with his 70 Dart swinger after changing carberator's.Was getting too much fuel and fowling them out..Really hoping its not my TB but if it is Ill certainly be in the market to find one.Im lost because some of the things I think need to be changed seems as though it would run bad all time,even setting idle.LUV my Dakota and really wanna see this on the road again!

 

Finally got the regulator chaged today and Im going to re set the timing as my so-called mechanic set it counter clockwise.Im assuming it's 180 out.Will update tomorrow about the timing.Truck still running like crap..

 

Finally think got it...Got the timing set today and the distributor was out by 3 teeth.Runs dives great again!!! Regulator was a bit of a challenge but got it done..I GOT MY TRUCK BACK...

 

I'm glad you got it. I'm glad I was right.

 

Thanx to the pic's you sent me Changing the regulator,and even locating it was a breeze...Thanx! Been over a week and almost 150 miles and runnnig great.