Cleaning out the cat sure won't hurt, but, I don't think that's the whole problem.

For the plugs..... I would get the engine warm, but, not all the way to temp, and squirt some PB Blaster down into the plug holes.... let it sit for a few, then start and idle the engine for a couple minutes. Do that three or four times, then try and pull the plugs.

 

Sounds like a plan, as soon as I get brave enough to do it without worrying about breaking a plug, but worth a shot. It will eventually need to be done. I'll save your recommendation and when ready, take my time and approach it carefully.

In the mean time, I guess I'll order the coil pack and see if that helps. I can get both for under $75.00 through the Parts Geek over in PA.

 

You were actually able to find parts?? Wow. I surprised.

 

Yeah, me too ... lol

In case anyone needs the coil pack, here is where I got them: https://www.partsgeek.com/ss/?i=1&ssq=ICA64417&x=0&y=0

 

Update - So this just keeps getting better ...

- Misfire and rough idle with the CEL on and pulling codes 21, 21, 52 (O2 sensor related)
- Checked the plugs and they were rusted solid into the block, but the mechanic got one out and said they should be fine
- Changed both O2 sensors, which didn't help (code has not reappeared)
- Checked out the coil packs and noticed a couple of the tips (I think they're call electrodes) were discolored and rusty, as were the related inside of the spark plug wire boots
- Installed both coil packs and the truck ran good the the gas station and on the way back, idle was bad and misfired all the way home
- Ordered new spark plug wires, since some did not look good and hopefully they'll be in tomorrow.

Thing is, the idle isn't always rough and the truck runs good sometimes. Saturday, I put over 75 miles on it running up and down steep hills and it ran great, then started it the next morning and BAM - ran like crap. I'm hoping changing the wires, which do not look good will end this all.

Anyone else ran into this problem?

 

Change the plugs too. If they are rusted in place, they need to come out. If you leave them in there, it will simply make them even more difficult to remove later. Not to mention, if they have been in there long enough to rust in place, then they are NOT "fine"....... Been there, done that.

 

The plugs are probably rusted in there because the previous owner used the truck as a farm vehicle that basically sat around most of the time and he never ran it. The plugs were probably never changed for quite a few years. I tried contacting the mechanic he went to for a maintenance record, but has not bothered getting back to me.

I totally agree the plugs should be changed, too, and that was the first thing tried by the mechanic and after only being able to get one plug out that looked good, he gave me the choice of trying the rest, which he could not budge, or letting it go for now, since if he broke one in there, he would have to remove the heads. He has the tool to get any broken plugs out without removing the heads, but could not guarantee broken pieces would drop into the block and do damage.

You had previously mentioned a way to work them out that would possibly work, but I'm saving that as a last resort and for a time I have a better place to work on this without rushing it. Right now I am having the same exact problem with my 04 Ram and already replaced the plugs, coil packs and next, because it's pulling a P0151 engine code, the O2 sensor B2 S1. That should be done this Wednesday and hopefully resolve the issue with misfiring on the 04. Once I get the truck on the road, which also needs front end work and alignment, then I can take my time with the 95.

Since this misfire and rough idle is not steady, but happens often, with the research I've done, it all points to the coil packs and/or wires, which with the rust and discoloring I noticed on both, may be the problem, but yes, with all that work done on the electronics, the plugs should be replaced, too.

Next week, I'm going Amish and getting me a horse and buggy ... geesh

 

I live far enough out, that I could keep horses here...... It would be a long ride into town for work, but certainly doable. Just not sure where I would 'park' my horse while at work....... I am sure that would draw some interesting comments from the customers.

 

Sounds like a plan ... and after today's venture, I might be doing that myself ... lol

I did get the new spark plug wires and installed 8 out of ten, then when pulled the next boot off I noticed that part of the plug was inside it. The end of the plug (terminal) and a small part of the upper insulator, as well as the inner stem (electrode rod) was sticking out of the boot. I couldn't believe this happened just pulling off the spark plug wire boot.

So I carefully slipped it back in and started the truck and it started right up and seemed to have a smoother idle after replacing most of the wires. I guess the original wires with the rusted terminals did cause the ruff idle. I didn't take the truck for a ride yet because I am concerned the electrode tip where you check the gap on the plug may be loose and if so, I wouldn't want it to fall into the block. I still have to replace the last wire and figure out what to do about removing the plug, especially since it has already showed me that it is brittle.

Yeah, that horse and buggy is looking real good right about now, although it may be tough getting used to going from 310 hp down to 1 hp ... lol

 

That broken plug will cause a rough idle as well. That one needs to come out. Bite the bullet, change them ALL.

The horse won't refuse to start in the morning though..... doesn't require gas, in fact, it actually produces it.... (but you can't use it in your other cars...... wrong kind of gas.....) But then, my truck has never stepped on my foot, and then tried to balance on one tire on top of it.... My truck has never nipped me when I turned my back...... And it doesn't give me dirty looks when I have to go at 0-dark-stupid either...... Hhhhmmmm.......