Hi everyone. This is my first post although I have read the forum for several months now. I live in Indiana with cold temps and my engine runs poorly with heavy throttle and it makes a lot of white/blue smoke. My boost used to go to 30psi and pulled strong but now tops out at 28 and starts missing out (shackes the truck) when I throttle it heavy. The engine runs a little better after it warms up but not like it did during summer. I'm running a number 10 plate but other than that it is pretty stock. Also hearing a ticking noise at idle or a little above and it goes away with more rpm. I have replaced the lift pump before when I heard this same noise and it fixed it for about 2000 miles. Any ideas guys? Oh it's a 98 12 valve auto.

 

The problem is likely the overflow valve. Mine had a broken spring, and ticked like a lifter when hot.

 

First thing I'd do is check the fuel pressure. Unless you have access to a fuel pressure gauge setup just replace the overflow valve
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Where is the best place to connect a fuel pressure guage.

 

Best way is to drill and tap a 1/8" pipe thread port in the injection pump inlet banjo bolt. If you can tap your manifold for a egt probe this is a piece of cake. You can then install a needle valve shut almost all the way in the port to eliminate pulsations. Grease gun hose to a temporary gauge. Put a plug in the valve when you are done or run line to the cab for a permanet gauge.
You preferably should read 22-26psi at idle but 18-30 will do.

Needle valve installed in injection pump

 

Thank, infidel. What should the minimum pressure be at full throttle?

 

18-24 psi at idle, 28-36 at 2000 rpm with no load.

If you replace the overflow valve, save it. Remove the fitting on the top of it, pull out the spring and check ball. Then you can attach a gauge to it that way. That is what I plan to do with my old one.

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1996/14-07-96.htm