198, 2.0l starts up great and then seems too run worse

[pointer80]

Hey guy's, I have a 1985 ram 50 with the 2.0 liter and it has been sitting in the driveway as I am working on finishing my workshop so I start it about once a week. When I start it, it starts right up without hesitation but after it sits and runs it seems to run rougher and I can smell rotten exhaust. If I shut it off and restart it it takes a couple of seconds to restart. I have a full tank of fresh gas and some seafoam additive in it. I have put new plugs and wires (ngk) and cap and rotor. Any ideas of whats going on and what I can check. Thanks in advance.

[geezer101]

I would check your ignition module and your coil. If either of them feel hot or you have weak or erratic spark it'll stop the engine from running pretty quickly. The module in the distributor has done plenty of work after 25+ years and you'll find that these things will inevitably fail. I would recommend replacing the ignition coil too - it will go a long way in helping your MPG and top end power.

[pointer80]

Is that the ignition control module?

[pointer80]

Anything else?

[camoit]

Smells like a bad cat. Rotten eggs.
Fuel filter could be getting old.

[geezer101]

Is that the ignition control module?

Yep.

Smells like a bad cat. Rotten eggs.
Fuel filter could be getting old.

They were running cats back in 1985 on these? Looks mine had the cat removed then. They (catalytic converter) can block up the exhaust system - I had one fail on the Oz version of the fwd Sigma and it was a trial to figure out why this thing refused to run for more than a few seconds. If you are sure the ignition is solid, maybe try undoing the flange before the cat and then starting it to see if it'll run. It's a process of elimination...

[pointer80]

yes, mine has a cat. on it. Thanks I will do some checking when I get time.