Hello all
Im new to the forum but have been reading for days now and im still torn on my next decision. Truck is a 97 ram 1500 4x4 with the beastly 5.9l.
Ive had this truck in the family since i was 12. I bought it from my dad when i was 19 and we have done everything to it as ive grown. I love this truck its given me 300,000 miles of joy.
I had a major loss of power and my flowmaster exhaust went from awesome to stock sounding. I took off the intake and the plenum was blown which doesnt bother me at all because this is the FIRST time ive ever had to break into the engine besides the occasional water pump replacement. I checked compression and its 150psi across every cylinder so i was very happy to see that. Im getting rid of this half keg and getting the hughes airgap setup....now here is where im stuck
do i get the 1.7 rockers and leave the heads on?
do i treat my truck to a new valve job since its treated me so nicely.

money isnt really an issue...but if you think my truck will give me another 250,000 miles on its current stock setup then i will leave it stock...if it would be wise for me to pull the heads and check everything then i dont mind doing that either. I have backup transportation so thats not an issue.

what would you do?

thank you anyone that made it through my short essay

 

I am under the impression that the air gap is overkill without other supporting engine mods...

 

Agreed. Mod the kegger if you want, but save the 600 for a set of EQ heads. At 300,000 miles they've got to be cracked between a seat or 2.

 

I think aims has hit the nail on the head..... fixing the plenum is no problem. And it sounds like your cat has clogged up... that would give you the loss of power, AND account for why it is quieter.

The heads on these trucks were poor castings from the factory, if you don't have cracks, it would be a friggin miracle. You can pick up a pair of the aforementioned heads for less than the cost of the airgap, or, spend a bit more, and get larger valve heads.... (not really necessary, and not really something you want to do if you tow/haul)

I would definitely advocate heads over the manifold... or, if you are rolling in money, (send me some please) do both.

 

I love my airgap . I do want to get heads for my truck I hate how money adds up to do something

 

Yea I've decided to pull the heads. I'm going to take them to to a shop and have them inspected. If tbhey pass I'm having them ported and polished. I think I'm still going to do the airgap with the 1.7's and throw some headers on with a new tune. New cat and an msd ignition system and I think that will be about it. I will keep this post updated as I go. I welcome all opinions.
Thanks guys

 

I would not waste money on porting stock heads. I wouldn't even waste the time doing it myself, they are honestly that bad about cracking.

 

I'm assuming these are the EQ heads you speak of?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EQ-CH...item20b7c7ce7c
Would these be worth getting ported?

 

Here's my take...

While these motors last a good long time, 300K is pushing the limit. You didn't say what your cylinder walls look like but sooner or later your rings are gonna give out. I'm glad you have such high compression but I wouldn't expect it to last. At 300K it's not a matter of if but when.

Putting on new cylinder heads with tighly sealed valves will increase your compression, which will likely make your worn rings unseal, increasing blowby. This won't be an overnight thing, but it will happen within a short time after your heads are installed.

I wouldn't pull the heads... why mess with something that works? if you want to add the rockers or other mods that's up to you. You'll pick a little power and not stress the motor too badly.

Save the ported heads and trick intakes for the new motor.

 

Thats it, but I'd get them from Clearwater cylinder head, or Odessa cylinder head.
That seller name just doesn't sound trustworthy.

The Dog does have a point, but it's up to you.