My 88, 318 has 160K original miles. It does have blow-by but not so much; however, the engine has ran rough since I got if from my mother back in 2000 (dad originally bought it new). I did what I call a live compression check and found that all but cylinder 6,4,2, and 7 had a psi of 115. Those remaining 4 were all over the place from 125 to 140. I have replaced all vacuums lines, injectors, distributor, etc., etc. over these past 2 years and nothing helps. So now the question for me is do I look to rebuild it or maybe just order a crate, any thoughts?

Also if you live close to Roanoke VA, I would welcome any advice of who to take it to for either work

Appreciate it

 

did you do dry and wet compression tests with the throttle held open? the wet test usually tells you if you got a ring or valve problem. you do the dry test first and then add a couple squirts of oil to each cylinder to do the wet test. if the number increase by a good amount you got a ring problem. if they stay similar you might have a valve or head gasket issue. i would guess the compression is less likely your issue on why it runs bad. at 160k miles if you haven't done maintenance like timing chain that could be part of the problem. also have you changed the o2 sensor?

 

How is the vacuum? Hook a vacuum gauge to see what's happening inside the engine. If possible I'd rather rebuild the engine as it was the one in your fathers truck. However, make sure it needs it first. I'm thinking your timing chain might be worn or other issue that's fixable without a total rebuild.

 

Egr stuck? This was a problem with the la's. Might want to do a magnum swap.

http://www.magnumswap.com/dodge-magnum-engine-search/

 

Good advice sir. Have not done the wet test yet but your thought about the O2 may be on target. I changed the upper one a few years back but never the lower stream. I'll change that out next and if that doesn't help, I will get onto the timing chain. Thanks a bunch. I may have to ask a few more questions once I get into the timing chain though: haven't replaced one of these since back in the 80's. The engine also is knocking pretty loud at idle. It used to knock but then once the temp raises, the knocking stops.

Thanks for your help

 

Vac is spot-on. Timing chain work probably on my to-do list now. I mentioned to CrazyWolf that I haven't changed one since back in the 80's, probably forgot most of it. Better than a rebuild though if that's the issue.

Good advice...thank you

 

if the engine is truly knocking then probably not worth throwing money at it. might be better of replacing it with a rebuilt engine or getting it rebuilt

 

Appreciate the thought. I'll probably stay with stock though.

 

Yep. I'm putting the vac tester on it Saturday and go through the process. I don't have a large enough shop space, etc of my own to pull engines, so I'll be looking around Roanoke VA to see who is knowledgeable and can handle it for me.

Thanks for the advice

 

I’m gonna agree with this guy I’ve owned a couple of 88s with a 318 and 360 LA the engines will in my experience go for a long time but they don’t have any power really I always wanted to magnum swap mine but never got around to end and ended up selling one of them because it needed basically a whole new front suspension and the other one unfortunately I totaled off Williamson one day