I have a 1984 Ram 50 4x4, 2.0L ...... I bought the truck which had problems to begin with, but it is my project truck.... I had the Carb rebuilt, which originally leaked... The problem I am finding is for one, the truck has no power! I can't get it to go over 65 mph... and when I do get it around that speed on teh freeway, it will cough and jolt the whole truck violently! Could this be the carb? Some have said it sounds like the Catalytic converter is plugged...... any suggestions?

 

Hey there, You need to take the cat. converter off. or replace it. If it clogs up completely., it won't go anywhere. It will fowl the plugs out , u will have to replace them.
Try the converter thing and clean or replace plugs. Make sure u check the gap on the plugs before puting them in the motor.

 

As mentioned, disconnect the cat and run it and see what happens. Do a compression test and is the timing correct?

 

Hey there,

I also have what seems to be a plugged Cat. Converter on my '81 2wd, but mine shows up in cold starts in the form of a rough, surgy idle initially. A mechanic told recently that a plugged cat will reduce the vacuum all the way back in the intake manifold, and mess with the balance of the carburetor (fuel mixure, amount etc.) I'm curious though, what kind of mileage you get with your truck. Being that its the same 2.0 motor, and only a few years newer, I would be interested to know how our trucks compare. I'm currently in a struggle over how to fix my mileage problem. Around town I get around 13-14, and on the highway its up around 20 on a good day. I looked into the weber conversion, but since i'm in California, the emissions laws prohibit that conversion and a smog inspection likely won't make it past the visual step. =( Anyway, Good luck with your problem solving, and let us know how the cat repair works for you.

-J