Hello, I have a 1991 Dodge W150 that I have been restoring to its original glory. It was my first truck when 18 so I won't part ways with it.

I put a 6 inch lift on it with rancho shocks. Its got 35" Toyo MT with American Racing Rims. Rebuilt 5.9L that had 254,000 miles on it. Replaced the plastic grill cover with a new chrome one and fabricated some billet style grill inserts. Replaced the headlights with new assemblies. Had the seats reupholstered and put in new carpet. If I could find a new dash and door panels.... Removed all the tiny dents and scuffs in the body then repainted the truck Dodge Red with Grey stripe. Needless the say the the truck looks like it just rolled off the lot with some minor cosmetics on the interior that I can't find parts for. (And of course minus the lift)

Now I'm trying to get it to run and I have exhausted all mechanical knowledge I have. I had put a bunch of equipment on it to pass CA smog. The truck has absolutely zero power, when I first start it up I can drive about 40mph max. After about 10 minutes the truck will bog down to about 15-20mph and wont go any faster. If I pull over and stop the truck and let it sit for a few minutes I can start it back up and drive 40 then it bogs down, rinse and repeat. I can only push the gas pedal down a little bit, If I apply any more pressure or if I push the gas pedal past that limit it sounds like the truck starts sucking air, I get complete power loss and if I dont let off the gas the truck will die. Going uphill the truck will lose almost all power and just barely crawl up the hill, if its too steep the truck will come to a stop and wont move. I just replaced the wire harness, alternator, spark plugs, distributor. It had a new throttle body put on it when the engine was rebuilt. I took it to a mechanic to get the fuel pump replaced, however the mechanic was really shady and the problem was still present after. I removed the catalytic converter to see if that would help and it didn't. Any Ideas? Because I'm lost and cat trust any of the mechanics in my town. I'd like to get it to run with full power again to make it a daily driver.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I cant think of anything ATM but I (and im sure many others) would like to see this truck.

 

Did you replace the distributor with the rebuild or because of the problem? Also, did you make sue the timing was correct after words. You could also be having a problem with your tps (throttle position sensor), ECM, or your coil could be going bad. Have you checked your fuel injectors? Other then this I am not sure what else it could be at this time with everything else that you already have replaced.

 

Have you checked for codes?

When was the last time you replaced the fuel filter?

Also check the fuel pressure.

 

Did you check the fuel injectors in the throttle body and make sure they are firing off strongly in a cone shape? Fuel filter and psi are good suggestions as sls001 says. Timing, of course, as Mr. Clean says. Be sure to take the plug off the coolant temp sensor before checking it. Time should be 10 degrees BTDC.

If the truck "sucks air," that could mean a serious vacuum leak. The old WD-40 test might be in order.

 

might also check the fuel pressure

 

Thanks for the input and help, I got it fixed sort of, it was a combination of problems. Replaced the fuel pressure regulator and now im getting 10 psi of fuel pressure I also replaced the fuel filter (which the old one was on backwards). Then after fixing those it stopped firing up, replaced the coil and the truck fired up first turn of the key(the new one I had on it was bad). Took it out for a test run and it was misfiring. I tried to adjust rotate the distributor and it wont budge, loosened the bolt all the way and it would move a very minute amount. If I did move it that tiny bit the truck wont fire up. So I dont know whats causing that issue or how Im going to re do the timing.

When I did the test run I still was able to roast the 35s =)

The good news is when I was playing with the throttle body, I realized it was not the stock one. Whoever had the truck before me put a Holley High-Flow EFI 500-6s on it. I ordered a new exhaust system for it because I was running straight pipes - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...w150/year/1991
Hoping this will make it sound good while cutting down on the noise a bit. Had to put a set of nerf bars on it as well because my wife couldnt get in it.

Ill post pics on sunday (if anyone cares to see it) assuming I can get it running. Driving over to Summit in Reno on monday to find some tips for the new exhaust.

 

If you only have 10 psi fuel pressure you don't have enough. You need 14.5

Those headers will not pass CA smog as you have air injection holes in the head at the exhaust ports. If you use those you need to plug the air injection holes and you need an 02 sensor bung.

How did they install that Holley t-body and make it work with the factory PCM or has that been changed as well?

Please post picks of the throttle body and intake.

 

I'm aware the headers wont pass CA smog, I'm moving out of state in two months so I'll be removing all the smog equipment as well.

I dont know how they installed the throttle body (the person that owned the truck before me had it on)on it I just saw the throttle body while I was putting the new air cleaner assembly on there. I took it into the parts store and the guys at Baxter's told me what it was and that it wasnt stock for that model dodge. Im working until Saturday, Ill post pics of the throttle body assembly sunday afternoon. I dont know if the PCM is factory or not I haven't looked at it, Ill take a picture of that is to maybe youll be able to tell me more about it.

The Intake is a K&N on a 1 inch Riser with a K&N breather on the PCV Valve.

 

Ok...you will still need to tap and plug the air injection holes in the heads for the headers and you will still need the 02 sensor for the fuel injection.

The factory throttle body is a Holley.