Okay, I picked up a 99 Ram 1500 4x4 with the 5.9. I did the plugs (NGK 3923's-I know they are colder plugs) to try to combat the detonation I get over 3K RPMs. I am going to try a higher octane, most likely 93, but I just figured that it's a pretty lower compression engine and 87 was good enough for it.

What should I do?

 

You shouldn't have a detonation problem for one thing. I'd have the truck looked at. you may have carbon build-up on the pistons.

 

I can look inside the engine with a borescope via the spark plug hole. Is carbon buildup on the pistons & valves common on these trucks? I know that many if not all vehicles have somecarbon buildup, but I wonder if it's to a level that it seriously affects the truck.

The ignition system appears to be stock, perhaps I should consider getting some parts?

 

I just bought a 96 Ram 2500 and filled it with 87 octane, it pinged under load or heavy acceleration. I then noticed a small label on the insturment cluster that said min 92 Octane. I've not seen this on dodges before, but the truck runs wonderful on the 94 octane. No more pinging and better power too.

 

Okay, that's what it'll get next tank of gas.

I bought a can of Synpower Cleaner from Murray's last night. Took of the air cleaner and spray down inside the engine while at an idle. Just little pulses. It seemed to help with it as well, since I have carbon buildup on the cylinders due to faulty spark plugs. I might run a bottle full of cleaner in the gas as well. I really don't know what was done to this truck for the first 83K of it's life. All I know is it is mine now and I will fix anything I find to be a problem.

 

Welcome to DF! Glad to hear your willing to tackle any problem on your ram... that's a good attitude.

You have a borescope!!! KEWL!!! use it to peak down into your intake manifold and look for oil pooling on the bottom of the plenum. If you have any, you have a blown plenum gasket and this is what is most likely causing your pinging. have a look and let us know what you find.

there is a couple of comanies that make an aluminum plate (Hughes Engines and APS Precision that will fix this problem for good... changing the gasket does not always work since the plenum is steel and the manifold is aluminum. The updated gasket from dodge does not work either (I speek from experience).

your truck should run fine on 87 octane, I've heard others using it w/o problem. any pinging is being caused by other issues.

 

Awesome links! Thanks! The thing I love about this truck is that it is really simple to work on for me. Coming from a couple of GM vehicles and a VW (all of those vehicles use a mass air system; my Ram doesn't) this is a relief to work with.

Now I am really bitten by the mod bug, what do you think of the new Edelbrock heads that Hughes Engines has on their site? I have a set of Edelbrock heads on my Tahoe (dad has the truck now) and they are really good.

If I am going to remove the intake to install this plate, I should probably remove the cylinder heads and really clean the carbon off the pistons.
If I am going to remove the cylinder heads to clean the carbon off the pistons, I should probably put on a *fresh* set of heads along with some MLS gaskets.
If I am going to replace the cylinder heads with better ones, I should probably change the intake manifold too.

Does the M1 2bbl manifold have the same issue with the plenum gasket?

If not these Edelbrock heads, what kind would work well. I will be installing a Procharger down the road, I just want to make sure I am not doing double the work.

Thanks for all the help!

 

Edelbrock heads. Oh yeah, now you're talking.[sm=gears.gif][sm=groupwave.gif]

 

Okay, so those heads it is... Cam or 1.7 rockers? I'm not sure just how crazy you can get before the ECU becomes a point of restriction.

 

lol, woooow, make sure they are smog legal for the state you live in... here in CA they are a no-go and that's why I went with the R/T heads, not so obvious that they are not stock.

The M1 manifold does not have the plenum issue that the stock Kegger has.

What are the specs on your truck... the M1 is for hi rpm flow (HP up high) and will not be good on a heavy 4x4 for towing or high torque needing applications.

The 1st mod I'd do is to put on a new timing chain, mine was very loose and probably jumped a tooth. I'm told that the stock chains are only good for 30~40k miles before they start to show wear.

then since your gonna have the intake off you can either mod the kegger or go with the m1, as far as heads go, go to KRC Performance to see what head fits your needs... (1.92's or 2.02's, r/t's or aluminum etc).