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Thread: The Ram Truck

  1. #1

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    1985 Dodge Power Ram 50
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    The Ram Truck

    Well I've finally gotten around to it, and I'm started to work on the 85' and its laundry list of issues and repairs. So far it needs: carb adjustments, fluid changes, axle seals (pinion and diff), seat belts, tires, locking hub repairs, seat belts, mirrors, new exhaust from the cats back, rewiring, brakes, and more that I can't remember. It runs as it sits, but not very well. Here's a video of it. Note the fuel pressure gauge is eternally stuck at 4 PSI, it's really running 7.

  2. #2

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    1985 Mitsubishi L200
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    What condition are your PPH's in? They look like they could do with a big clean and a rebuild. And more than likely balancing. I am yet to see a Mikuni side draft in person. Your tappets need adjusting too by the sounds of it. If they're not providing enough valve lift it will not only hold the engine back, but damage the valves as well. This will be a good engine once it's running right. The PPH's will provide good throttle response and power. Any other plans for it?

  3. #3

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    Quote Originally Posted by geezer101 View Post
    What condition are your PPH's in? They look like they could do with a big clean and a rebuild. And more than likely balancing. I am yet to see a Mikuni side draft in person. Your tappets need adjusting too by the sounds of it. If they're not providing enough valve lift it will not only hold the engine back, but damage the valves as well. This will be a good engine once it's running right. The PPH's will provide good throttle response and power. Any other plans for it?
    Well once I get it running right I plan on using it as a daily while I'm at college. The open space in the shop I get once its out will allow me to rebuild a small block mopar I want to eventually drop in, but that's years down the road. Long term I'd like to maybe make it into a rally truck or at least slowly upgrade and replace parts.

  4. #4

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    1985 Dodge Power Ram 50
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    Well here's today's progress: taking off the float covers to look inside the carbs.
    The tools of torture:
    image (4).jpeg
    image (7).jpeg
    The old spark plugs (changed yesterday)
    image (5).jpeg
    Simple enough plan: take out six screws that hold the float cover down, check the insides.
    image (6).jpeg
    Wrong! Ended up stripping out two screws and having to fight them out. (I'm going to kill whoever thought to use brass screws)
    image (9).jpeg
    End result is this open float chamber here, looks like it may be time for a rebuild and thorough cleaning.
    image (8).jpeg

  5. #5

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    Got the carbs removed today, found a major factor with my lack of fuel: stuck accelerator pumps. The gaskets were also pretty worn out and the carbs just seem to be leaky messes at this point.

  6. #6

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    Well both carbs are off and I cleaned up the intake manifold. The engine looks pretty naked without the carbs.
    image (10).jpeg
    The Legendary Mikuni PHH carbs, now leaking gas all over my '64:
    image (11).jpeg
    In this picture you can see how the accelerator pump doesn't budge even at full throttle:
    image (12).jpeg
    There is no real room in our garage for me to work on the truck, so I often find myself standing on the bull bars to work on the passenger side of the engine bay:
    image (13).jpeg

  7. #7



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    I have a small garage also. When I get done with working on truck or car, the paint is all buffed from sliding back and forth along the sides of the thing. I want those carbs.....



    Mikuni Carb Parts
    http://www.wolfcreekracing.com/index...d=21&Itemid=30

  8. #8

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    Been a while, so I figured it was time for an update (No Pics right now, I'll try to get them on the weekend):
    The Carbs have been rebuilt and reinstalled, they were filled to the brim with rust and bad gas. They aren't tuned yet, and I'm suspecting my lack of exhaust may hinder my ability to tune them properly. I mounted a tach on the steering wheel, at half choke the engine runs about 1000-1200 RPM and is deafening with open headers. I replaced my bad pinion seal and filled my rear-end back up with new oil. I drilled new holes in my bumper brackets to properly hang it (my father never took the time to adjust them after the body lift, he just left the bumper off), and i cleaned most of the rust off the bumper and coated it with bedliner (it still needs replaced, but at least now its not half primered). And i found something else unique about my truck: dual front shocks (custom fabbed by my father and grandfather in the mid nineties- he wanted to stiffen up the front end so he wouldn't pancake it whilst jumping)

  9. #9

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    Well, I figure I'll dust this thread off. Lots has changed since I first posted this. The Phh carbs are coming off for a number of reasons, ordered a weber to replace it. The brakes were redone and I have fresh rubber. Front shocks were replaced because they were shot, Installed seat belts, put in a new license plate light, but the truck still isn't drivable because of my damn intake, hence the Weber.

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by BradMph View Post
    I have a small garage also. When I get done with working on truck or car, the paint is all buffed from sliding back and forth along the sides of the thing. I want those carbs.....



    Mikuni Carb Parts
    http://www.wolfcreekracing.com/index...d=21&Itemid=30

    cool website brad! is there a "carburetor thread" listing websites like this?....thanks!

  11. #11

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    Well, the Weber was installed a few months back and she purrs like a kitten. I still have a few bugs to work out (throttle cable not fully returning, occasionally dieseling on shut down, leaking heater core, sloppy steering) but it drives nicely and I no longer have to hide her away!

  12. #12

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    You can try a combo of things to get the throttle working properly - spray lube the cable so there's less drag, add a stronger return spring or a secondary spring, bend the upper arm of the accelerator pedal slightly to add more load on it and adjust the cable through the firewall. The heater core is not a nice job but if you pull the whole unit out it may only need a few solder repairs to seal the holes up (if it's the control valve, you'll be able to replace it). It will give you the opportunity to recon the whole unit and give it a huge clean (you can make new flapper door seals from adhesive weather seals from the hardware store for next to nothing). In all it's good news that your truck is getting miles and daylight

  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by geezer101 View Post
    You can try a combo of things to get the throttle working properly - spray lube the cable so there's less drag, add a stronger return spring or a secondary spring, bend the upper arm of the accelerator pedal slightly to add more load on it and adjust the cable through the firewall. The heater core is not a nice job but if you pull the whole unit out it may only need a few solder repairs to seal the holes up (if it's the control valve, you'll be able to replace it). It will give you the opportunity to recon the whole unit and give it a huge clean (you can make new flapper door seals from adhesive weather seals from the hardware store for next to nothing). In all it's good news that your truck is getting miles and daylight
    Thanks, I'll give those a try. In the mean time I have to cut a sheet of copper for an exhaust gasket and get a wideband so I can tune her properly.

  14. #14




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    use Permatex copper gasket maker - I used it on Geronimo 27 years ago and he still has no exhaust header leaks.
    Pennyman1
    The best Dodge that Dodge never made
    Living the D-50 lifestyle since 1980

  15. #15

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    Well, it's lemonade from lemons time. With a blown engine leaving my truck stuck in the garage (and waiting on pennyman for some pictures of a short block), I've decided that now is a good time to coat the frame with some chassis saver. More updates to come.

  16. #16




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    Should have pics tomorrow - just got my ladder back so I can get up in my garage attic to take pics of the block.
    Pennyman1
    The best Dodge that Dodge never made
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  17. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by pennyman1 View Post
    Should have pics tomorrow - just got my ladder back so I can get up in my garage attic to take pics of the block.
    No worrys, I still have to pick up a stand and hoist from a friend.

  18. #18

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    Well, I suppose instead of slacking off I should upload some photos for you guys. I got my damaged engine apart to see how bad things really were, short answer, bad.
    IMG_20170803_192305723.jpgHere's the valve.
    IMG_20170803_192244276.jpgThe lifter that caused all of this.
    IMG_20170803_192218135.jpgIt looks like the valve struck twice before shattering.
    IMG_20170803_192200378.jpgEverything layed out on my work bench.
    IMG_20170803_192135681.jpgThe piston damage.
    IMG_20170802_185352758.jpgMy mangled spark-plug.
    IMG_20170803_192130661.jpgMy engine bay looks so empty.
    I'll have more pictures when I get the engine out. If anyone wants the damaged head let me know, if not, I'll scrap it.

  19. #19

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    Yup, that head is toast. Didn't do the piston any favors either. It would need welding, a new valve seat and a new guide pressed in. Would be cheaper to get another head in the long run.

  20. #20

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    Minor Update today. Got some tools off of a buddy and will pull the engine this weekend. Gonna order a few new parts, oil pump, gaskets, but I think i can salvage most of the motor. I'm holding off on pistons and rings until I get the block machined, may have to go .010 over if the damage can't be honed out. Over all so far so good. Side note, I've noticed on the replacement head I am looking at, that the rockers have solid lash adjusters, as opposed to the hydraulic lifters that the factory head came with, at least I don't have to worry about them failing if I don't have any to begin with.

  21. #21




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    The cam you have from the hydraulic lash head won't work with the mechanical adjustors, so I hope it is a complete head with cam
    Pennyman1
    The best Dodge that Dodge never made
    Living the D-50 lifestyle since 1980

  22. #22

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    Completely assembled with Cam for $360.

  23. #23

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    Pretty reasonable price. Mechanical heads have advantages over hydraulic but they do need manual adjustment. You'll get to know how to feel your way into setting the clearances.

  24. #24

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    I've got the engine almost out now, but it refuses to separate from the trans. Any advice?

  25. #25

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    The engine is out fellas, took a day of work, a lot of hammering and wrenching, but its on the stand ready for a rebuild.
    IMG_20170813_120935694.jpg
    Radiator Came out first.
    IMG_20170813_182121018.jpg
    Engine on a stand, draining fluids.
    IMG_20170813_182110232.jpg
    Empty Engine bay, needs washed good,
    IMG_20170813_182130287.jpg
    Think I'll replace the clutch while its out.

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