When I had that problem, once it would start jerking/shaking or whatever, I would put more gas on it and it would stop right away.

Have you done your plenum yet?

 

that is exactly what I do. Let off the gas, than get on it a little harder (force it to downshift). Or tap the OD off. With the 285's and stock gears, this truck cruises at 70mph at only 2000rpm. Get down below 65mph and it is down near 1500rpm and it doesn't like that very much. I have not done my plenum yet. Really wish someone lived near by that has done it. I have to admit....I am a little intimidated by all the little things here and there that you have to remove/move/get around, to remove the TB. Would like someone who has done it before to be another set of eyes/hands while I am doing it. I have never really messed with engines other than plugs and wires. Been a brakes, master slave cylinder, suspension guy mostly. Never had to work on an engine before (other than replacing a clutch on a 86 4Runner...but then I had 3 guys helping me).

 

You might want to pick up a service manual such as a Haynes book. The best thing you could get though is the Dodge Service manual. I got a CD for $30 at Geno's Garage. They're usually upwards of $100 for the actual book.

In the meantime you might want to look down the bores of your throttle body and see if there is any oil. A flashlight will help.

 

What are you refering to when you say plenum? Just not familiar with that... Thanks

 

Oh, I have, and there is very little residue in there. No pooling, but not shiny clean either.

Someone gave me a link to download the Jeep Factory Service Manual for my cherokee. I am not a fan of Haynes...they usually tell you just enough to get you in deep and then leave out the details. Would love to find the Dodge FSM that I can download.

 

The Plenum Pan is a sheet of metal attached to the bottom of the intake manifold. Design problems in this plenum pan lead to oil entering the intake manifold, and into the cylinders where it should not be. The oil causes detonation, heavy engine wear and decreased power.

If you don't like the Haynes one, the Chilton one is ten times worse.. I searched for hours looking for the one for my year and could not find anything even close, other than the 2001 manual here on DF.

 

I see what can I do to the plenum pan to make sure it is not causeing any of the above problems? Thanks

 

There are two good solutions that I can think of right now.

1) Buy a Hughes or APS Precision Plenum Pan and use it to replace the one currently in place. Those two are very unlikely to leak, but you need to install it right.
2) Buy a Hughes/Edelbrock Airgap intake manifold which replaces your stock manifold and eliminates the need for any plenum pan.

Hughes Engines Website

APS Precision Website

There is tons of information all each of these subjects, right here on DF. You can search to find out more about the plenum pan problem, it's solutions, and the death flash (you're not gonna be expecting this one).

 

Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

I think I am going to try a tune up and new spark plug and wires first and then go from there...