It's a 1994 Dodge Ram 4x41500, long bed, auto, 318..253000 thousand miles. thats what i'm working with. I got the truck free. I needed a trans overhaul, tranfercase swap. odds and ends. I was proud to hear it fire up. It fires right up, slight lifter tap but calms down after oil pressure builds up. I'm leaning toward a timing chain replacement. On the first test drive after tranny replacement, i went up the road, and under a heavy loadthe truck starts to pop/fire out of the tb, when you let off the gas, say comming to a stop, slowing down or whatever it'll die, but fires right back up with no problem. I'm leaning to a timing chain, but i'm newer** to mopar. suggestions please, i've not found anyone with similar problems. thanx jon

 

White smoke indicates coolant burning. With that high of mileage I would lean towards a bad head gasket, cracked head, or a crack in the cyl wall.

 

I'd say cracked head. It's burning coolant, hence the wite smoke, and it's backfiring out the intake, which I would believe the head would be cracked by an intake valve.

Could be wrong, but thats what I'm guessing.

Do a leak down test and listen for where it's coming from.

 

White smaoke is a coolant leak into the cylinder as mentioned.

But at 253K, your timing chain is done. Mine was done at 75K, way too much play. I don't know if they really get progressively looser over time or if the nylon coating wears off and they hit a "terminal" amount of stretch, but either way, it's done. Get a double roller chain and don't look back.

 

I see??? I was told by and engine builder that the magnum motors have a problem with creacking between valves. he said most likey exhaust, but i dont see why not either one. i found a 1999 dodge ram 2500 for $600 with a 360. i think i'll swap in the 360, along with some much needed face lift body parts. my trucks skin is in bad shape, the 99 is in great shape minus the front passenger side which is the only good side of my truck. SOOOO here goes another SWAP!!! 318 get ready to be retired. Before i get to head of myself, there is a common problem with the newer 360's right?? intake or somthing? i'll be doing some refreshing of the motor before it meets her new home, if needed[sm=icon_cheers.gif].

 

the white 2wd is the newer 1999 doner of all her parts. the white 4x4 is my troublsum 1994. the green one had no business in this post...it's just a truck i used to have. sometimes i almost miss it.

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so i've been reading and reading... i buy the whole truck so i'll have eveything i need, no need on buying anything to keep the 360 balanced right? the tranny i had pulled and rebuilt, will the 318 tourqe converter work? or is that indeed where the 360 gets it's balance?? and not that "plate" where it reads to fire? i need some input for that...do i need to buy a tourqe converter for a 360, that is the question. i hate to buy more parts. jon

 

Woa free truck,,, yumie, cracked head no prob 200 dollar fix If ya do it yer self. Woa frree truck hehe good deal

 

i'm sorry but i do need to ask. balancing a tourqe converter sounds pointless. who in their right mind would add weights to a converter. that would mean you have to bolt the converter up one way...??? but it surely does not have one way of putting the 4 bolts in...it just did'nt sound right to be...but i dont'nt make em...i just work on em. someone please pull the trigger....jon