To start i have a 97 dodge ram 1500 5.2l. i did a plenum repair because it was burning oil (quart every 100 miles) i got everything back together, and when driving it the truck has worse power than before the repair, hill's i used to be able to climb in 5th gear now require a down shift to 4th to get up, and to 3rd if i have to accelerate. cat has been removed because it was melted down a few months ago due to the oil consumption. getting 2 codes P0308 *missfire cylinder 8* and *system to lean* code. replaced the plugs becuase the were over gap spec, pulled missfiring plug and electrode was a golden brown, others were all white. any ideas? possible injector clogged from removal? vacuum?

 

Check your plug wire routing first. Also, check fuel pressure. (system to lean code....) What kind of shape are the cap/rotor in?

 

That's because (p308) most likely means the cat is clogged/clogging. And the o2 sensors need replace also. Also replace the PCV with one from the dealer.

 

^maybe.
but if he didn't have any CEL before, and now its running like ****, i fear he might have no fire at #8, or an intake vac leak near #8

 

Agreed, but #8 is a result of not knowing how long the gasket was blown and how long the cat was clogged before the repair. Cracked head?

 

sorry bout that guys didn't have computer over the weekend. here's an update fuel pressure 50psi at idle, and about 24oz of flow in 15 seconds. cat was clogged only for about 10 mins, it melted down close to house, i could just hear the chunks in it. before gasket was replaced, truck had plenty of power, vacuum seems alright because all the heat position settings work even under heavy acceleration. i'll check the vacuum after school tomorow anyways. head isn't cracked everything looked fine during tear down. gasket stopped oil burning. spark was good at all cylinders.

 

Check plug wire routing then, might be getting some cross-talk.

 

The cat clogs over a period of time. Get's worse and worse. Then one day it can completely clog shut. But damage is occurring during the process.

 

He said he removed it due to it clogging. Check wire routing like Heyyou said and report back

 

I know that. He also said it was clogged for 10 minutes. Maybe clogged solid for 10 minutes, but probably partially clogged for a lot longer. Which still produces extra heat and can damage things. Besides, "only 10 minutes" , I don't know how long it takes to crack a head. Not saying it's the problem in this case, but it does happen.