hey guys i have a 1985 Ramcharger with a 318 v8. I am having carb issues and im thinking of buying a new one. i have a total lack of power. it took me about half a mile to go 55. the carb thats in it right now is the stock 2bbl. to tell ya the truth i realy dont want to get a 4bbl if i can help it with the cost of gas being where it is. i am also having trouble with the truck stalling. the other day me and my buddy were driving home after we dropped his girlfriend off and before we even got out of her sub, the truck died. we turned the truck back on and drove about 20 feet and it died again. we tried to start it again but it wouldnt even turn over. after about fifteen minutes we tried it again and it started right up. we drove it the rest of the way home with no problems. oh and FYI it has an electric fuel pump connected directly to the battery.

 

Hey, check out my post on Ramchargercentral.com I have a similar problem. 87 318 2bbl. I posted all of the things I've tried and it hasn't made much difference.

 

yeah dude its weird as hell. the other day i was gonna take it to the school auto shop but the truck wouldnt start because there seemed to be a clog in the fuel line coming from the fuel pump to the bypass or from the bypass to the carb. i got home and blew out both lines and it started right up. it sounds like ur truck has a few more gitches in it tho. i dont know what the problem is

 

Hmmm, 318. Most likely it's the standard Holley 2280 2bbl carb. I would start with a fresh carb rebuild. Kits are readily available. Not difficult just pay attention. A sticking float and/or float needle due to varnish build up will cause poor drivability/hard starting/slow warm up. A good clean out of the vacuum passages and a reset of the choke settings does wonders. I would rebuild mine from my old 87 W150 Ram every 40 or 50k. Similar symptoms. Ran like a top.

Second, I would check vacuum/emission lines for leaks and collapsed hoses. Beyond that, the previous posters fuel line cleaning is a good approach as well as a new fuel filter. Poor distributor cap and rotor condition will also contribute to poor drivability issues.

Tim