I have a 98 1500 4x4 with a 5.9 360. I was goin down the highway just fine and when I went over the overpass it dropped out of overdrive and tried to pick up speed but it just sounded hollow like it was running out of gas. 25 mph was all I could get then it just kept slowing until all it would do was idle and eventually shut off. Here is where I am at now: New plugs, cap and rotor, 45psi fuel pressure, no check engine light or codes found with the scan tool it wont even putter if I spray it with gum cutter. Checked each plug with a spark tester and it will jump about a 3/4" gap. Checked injectors with a test light and they all flash the light while cranking. Any ideas?(computer maybe?, jumped timing?, intake gasket? would it shut down completely if the gasket went out?)

 

My guess would be a sensor or the computer. Others on here will be more specific, they have more experience with dead trucks than I do.

 

maybe a bad Crankshaft position sensor... just a idea

 

If you got fuel, Spark and air that"s every thing you need for it to fore off. But if the timing of these aren't right it won't fire. If the motor has a 100,000 miles or more I would say there's a good chance your timing chain has jumped a tooth or 2 witch would cause your problem.

 

catalytic converter

 

Has anyone had any timing chain experiences with these engines? Are they all steel or steel hubs with plastic teeth? It is a possibility I have been looking into as the truck has 194,000 miles but I see no timing marks on the front of the engine to line the balancer up with. Guess I will have to pull a valve cover and find TDC then pull the cap and see if I'm close to #1 if no one knows where to line up the mark on the balancer.

 

The marks are on the driver's side of the cover. They are very hard to see so you will probably need a flashlight to see them.

The balancer has marks about every 90 degrees, but the "0" mark cuts all the way across the balancer ring and has some degree markings cast into it.

The timing chain is the standard link type with steel crank and cam gears. No nylon teeth thank heaven.

 

a new timing chain set is about 50 bucks from napa. I just bought one a couple of weeks ago.

 

also make sure you have your gaskets set good when you put it back togather.. I didn't so now I have to take it all back apart and reset my gaskets so I won't leak coolant... also I would suggest getting some cardboard and marking your holes and pushing the bolts through so you know exactly what bolts when were I didn't do that and talk about a pita to get back togather. ended up having to go to a salvage yard to and pulling bolts to make sure I had the right ones