i have a 91 ram 1/2 ton 4wd with a 318
i got it hot now it has lost a lot of power and seems to be idling wierd
please help
i have changed the plugs and wires

 

got it too hot changed the plugs and wires and has lost power and idles rough now
smokes black no water loss now or in the pipes doesnt overheat after radiator change
help

 

Did you add cold water while it was boiling or almost boiling? Could have cracked a head between the intake and exhaust valves assuming you got the firing order correct.
Nat

 

Do a block check on the coolant to see if there are any combustion gasses in the coolant.
Do a compression test on the cylinders.
Check the ignition systen, I am not sure what system is on the gas engine of that year.
If you smell the exhaust at the tailpipe, what does it smell like?, Over rich exhaust {black smoke} Does it smell like wet unburnt gasoline?, if you listen to the idle at the pipe, does it sound even, or can you hear reoccuring pop or fluttering sound every few seconds.
Have you already checked the choke if it is carbeurated and make sure it is not stuck CLOSED.

 

If you have a 91 gasser, and it is smoking black unburned fuel after getting hot, replace the water temperature sensor. It sounds like you are running in "choke" mode from your description. In this engine that means that the cold start valve is open, and that will be because the water temperature sensor got hot and failed.

After you replace the sensor, pull your negative battery cable, and go have a cold one. Let the ECM do a reset. This will only take a couple of minutes of no power and it will go back to its factory defaults.

 

the head is not cracked or else i would be losing water and smoking white not black but thanx
it has a duel port holley fuel injection
by water temp sensor do u mean the thermostat

 

today it kept wanting to die on me

 

How old is your battery? My 95 gasser started doing some funky things, like you've mentioned, when the stock battery started to go. Especially the rough idle. Is it OBD I? Did they have that in 91? Can you check your engine codes doing the off-on thing three times with the key?

 

the engine light is not on

 

Does it have an O2 sensor? If so, it could be bad, mine "fell-out"(long story) on my 97 1500 with a 360, and it idled real bad, and it would load up with fuel, causing that black smoke. Trust me, I rode about 100 miles with mine backfiring, but I let it go too far. It may be an early sign that it is going bad.

Another tip for clearing the computer-unhook the negative terminal, then get in the truck, and turn the key on 3-5 times(go with 5, I forgot which one it is), and it will clear out the computer faster. In fact, do this first, and then see what it does.

 

No. With vehicle off, turn key to run (don't start it), then back to off. Do this three times then turn the key to RUN and leave it there. You're Check Engine Light will start flashing if there are any codes stored.

For instance, if the Check Engine light flashes once, then pauses, then flashes twice, the code 12 is stored, which means your battery was disconected in the past 50 starts. A 55 means the end of codes.

My 95 will do this, but I'm not sure when this feature started.