my 98 5.2, 5 speed dakota runs rough, and when i shift no matter what temp, or rpm's its at there are a series of pops. it randomly throws a p1391 code but it will go away and then come back. the truck has a rough idle upon start up, and when driving it will sporadically buck, surge, lurch. whatever you wanna call it. it dosnt do it everytime i drive though. cap, rotor, plugs, wires are all new and i recently did the plenum plate (hughes plate) and tried to remove the dizzy. i marked it before loosening the bolt and when i couldnt get it out i lined it back up and tightened down. some of this may be useless info im just trying to get everything out just incase. anybody have any ideas where to start?

 

P1391 - Intermittent loss of cam or crank position sensor.

It might be related to your attempt to remove the distributor, the cam position sensor is in there. The crank position sensor is near the ring gear.

Both can cause the running rough.

Moving the distributor can change the fuel sync. That can also cause it to run rough.