rough running ram50 1989 2.6 carb

[FMS88]

Welcome to the club!
The compression numbers you obtained are reassuring and indicate the engine is sound. Most likely the problem is the ignition, fuel or other peripheral systems. Has it always run rough since you got it? Were any repairs made before you got it or since you owned it? If there were recent repairs, keep those in mind. However if none, you're smart to start with a tune up, including new plugs. Chances are it just needs a tune-up. But if that doesn't fix it, you'll then be on a firm footing to consider and look for other causes that an out-of-tune engine would otherwise hide.

[frogzmax]

hey thank you for the reply, I am not sure what was done to it. the guy I bought it off was not the original owner. He told me the owner before was an older lady that kept it well maintained. I believe he just bought it and sold it to me in a very short period of time. From what I can see it looks like it was well maintained. the timing chain cover doesnt have an oil on it so I assume that was replaced recently haha. it is running the stock mikuni carb there is a loud sucking noise when i take the air filter cover off so maybe there is a vacuum leak somewhere. Ill start with the tune up, it had those taylor spark plug wires, so I just ordered some denso ones. there is spark going to all the wires but it was quite orange not sure if that means it is a weak spark.

[FMS88]

h it is running the stock mikuni carb there is a loud sucking noise when i take the air filter cover off so maybe there is a vacuum leak somewhere. Ill start with the tune up, it had those taylor spark plug wires, so I just ordered some denso ones. there is spark going to all the wires but it was quite orange not sure if that means it is a weak spark.

The loud hissing/sucking noise you hear with the air cleaner top removed is completely normal. If you had a vacuum leak, it wouldn't idle well if at all. The spark does sound weak. If the new wires, cap and rotor don't improve the spark, check the coil, ballast resistor and ground connections. If you have the Haynes manual, page 5-4 tells how to test the transformer type coil you have using an ohmmeter. The primary coil resistance should be 1.3 Ohms, the secondary coil 27k Ohms and the resistor 1.35 Ohms. If it's okay, clean the battery's negative cable connections to the body and the engine, and the smaller ground wire between the head and the fire wall. Good ground connections are very important.