my truck sat for 9 months after I lost reverse in the transmission. It ran great before that. Rebuilt the transmission, and the truck wouldn't start. Changed crank sensor, ignition pickup, and full tune up. It started but the timing was off. The distributor was loose. Set timing the best I could. Brought it for a test drive but after 50 miles it started overheating. My radiator blew, changed that and checked the water pump (it seems ok). Removed thermostat and the truck still overheats. Also, the truck has no heat.

 

Welcome to DF.

You do not set timing by turning the distributor in those trucks. Timing is set by the computer, so it can only be adjusted by an advanced scan tool or programmer. If you did indeed turn the distributor, you need to figure out exactly where it is supposed to sit, and move it back to its factory location. Some of the guys in the 2nd Gen Ram section (94-01 Rams) will be able to help you more, moving you there now.

For future reference:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-r...s-section.html

 

Try burping the cooling system some more. https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...nt-system.html

Check fan clutch too. And hopefully your water pump does not look like this one.

 

Take out that clutch fan and put a normal fan in. Thats what I did.

Try burping the cooling lines make sure the coolant gets into the jackets. If that doesnt work than you could have some clogged lines or you could have a bad thermostat even if it looks fine. Also water pump.

Ive had this issue. Things look fine but you may have a bad bearing in the water pump and you dont know it.

 

He removed the T-Stat, so count that out.

 

run some PENRAY black bottle flush through there. gives the green slime a case of the diarrhea! awesome stuff!

 

I'd replace that water pump then.

 

another tip/ trick for ya!
drill a hole through the flange of the stat. especially if its a "stant" brand stat. they tend to POP open late and hot. drilled they will bath better and saturate with heat better. to envelope the whole state in water slowly through a 1/8th hole will make it open more regularly!
also this mod will help the burping process. so much so, that you will never have to "burp" process again! if the system was designed right in the first place you shouldnt have to so that!

 

thanks for all the help. I have now changed the radiator, changed the water pump, and new 180 degree thermostat, runs cool. but now every 10 miles or so I need a gallon of water, I cant find any leaks, and oil looks fine

 

head gasket might be blown between cylinder and water passage. do a pressure test and compression test.. Any white smoke?