Thanks gdstock, It turns out that the metal guard around the plug was warped or bent so I couldn't get a socket on it. Rather than running the risk of knocking out my only truck (I run a lawn service on the weekends when I"m home from college) due to a stupid move on my part I ended up just taking it to my local Dodge dealer and had them mess with it, since they were the ones who bent those guards up back in '08.

Thanks for the help.

 

Well a little more work done this afternoon, and another discovery.



I am surprised that I was only getting an occasional cyl 8 misfire. SHould have been getting a 4,6, and 7 misfire as well. Wires were Mopar, and ad neglected as this truck was, I am reasonably sure they were factory install.

The fun never ends....

 

Make sure you get quality distributor cap with brass terminals. Replace the rotor bug as well.

 

Put on MSD rotor and cap with brass terminals. Also MSD 8.5 mm wires and new plugs.

Darn thing won't start. Checked fuel pressure - it is 49 lbs. Injectors getting pulse (MTG 2500 testing). Going to check for spark next. Acting like no fire. After a few seconds cranking, oil pressure comes up and and I get a "check gauges light" and ABS light briefly.

 

Don't worry about the check gauges lite. (unless it is telling you you are out of gas.....) That's either whining about oil pressure, or battery voltage.

Verify spark..... let us know.

 

Went to AZ to get a spark tester (so as not to reignite the debate of hoe to safely test spark). Also needed about 12 gallons of antifreeze and a couple of jugs of oil for a couple of changes that are due.

Do as I eas getting ready to check spark, I noticed that the control wire connector to the bottom of coil was dangling. Note to self: although small and insignificant in appearance, this item may actually need to be connected.

Truck cranked right up, and is idling smotther than it has since I got it. Gotta love it when a plan comes together. Between plenum being shot, cap being corroded (see photo in above post), original wires, and worn timing chain, it is hard for me to believe it ran as good as it did.

Flushing coolant system right now, then a test drive, then load SCT tune.
Hoping for noticeable improvement still!

Thanks everyone for all the help - with this, the transmission, and other adivce such as tuner, HS rockers, and other questions I have asked. You guys are really great!


Runs like a new truck. Idles smooth (although a little fast) and runs like a stirped a**** cat!