97 RAM question

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Linville33

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I know this isn't related to this forum but I'm going to school to be a mechanic and I know quite a bit about vehicles but not nothing to be in my own shop. My buddy just called me and says his truck isn't going above 3k revs. Any ideas what I should look for?

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Driver4r

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see if its missing. (first thing that came to mind)
 

Linville33

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I am thinking maybe a timing issue or ignition. He was saying its hard to get up to 55

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Driver4r

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Is it making any noises? Had a friend say the same thing about -50-55mph, I went and listened to HER car, and she has a BAD rattle up in the OHC area, im thinking mabey a cam cap came loose, or mabey a lifter is just wore past help.

Hopefully your buddy is just having ignition issues. If its missing it wont want to push a lot of weight very fast.
 

bucket

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Need to know more, like what motor and other symptoms.

If bucking or cutting out is involved, expect tune up or crank sensor if it's a gas motor.
 

Linville33

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Its got the 5.7 in it. I haven't taken a look at it yet I will tomorrow just trying to figure out what I should look at first

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Did he put a 5.7 in it? If it's a 97 then it has either a 5.2 318 or a 5.9 360. Those trucks weren't exactly known for long term dependability. Good luck!


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Linville33

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Its the 5.9 then my bad.

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hinkv10

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My 95 had a clogged cat and lost power.

On a side note the previous owner never changed the oil and the oil pump clogged up. So he removed the oil pan and oil pump and left it in his driveway for a year +. I bought it for a grand, threw a new pump in it and drove it for 7k miles before it spun a bearing. Pretty good trucks except the trans and rear end which mine had already been rebuilt. Many of those engines go 200k no problem.
 

Linville33

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I took a look at it and it sounds like its running fine but when its in gear its just low on power. No get up and go and pretty much tops out at 3 grand

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bucket

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I took a look at it and it sounds like its running fine but when its in gear its just low on power. No get up and go and pretty much tops out at 3 grand

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Could be a plugged converter. Disconnect the converter or at least pull the O2 sensor and see if the power improves any.
 

Linville33

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If the guy calls me to do the work I'll do that but he hasn't gotten back to me

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