This thing has been sitting for years and we have finally began putting it back together. It's still missing the CAT that someone sawed off.

But the problem we're having is that it has no power under load. Feels like it runs good when you're out of gear, except it idles VERY low (whole truck shakes, probably less than 200 rpm). It has a brand new fuel pump, new fuel filter, new spark plugs, new battery, alternator tests out good.. Also the headlights and reverse lights do not work.

Ideas? It takes a couple of tries to fire it up too. Sounds like a tank.

Here is a relatively short video of the truck being driven (it's a 1990), and as you can see it doesn't have a lot of power. I'm really trying to work the gas to get the RPM's up just so I could get it into the driveway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJHLUU4eL0U

 

How is the timing?

 

Yea, I bet the cam and ignition timing is off.

The only real way to check the cam timing is to pull the valve cover and see if the bright link in the chain is at 11:55 when the motor is at TDC.

 

Better yet when I have time off i'll just throw the timing light on it. My dad seems to think it's still a problem with the fuel system. Fuel pressure regulator? Dirty injectors?

No big deal if it's the timing chain, replaced them before on these engines.

 

You could always set it the engine to TDC and take the valve cover off and see where the alignment pin is on the cam sprocket. It could just be a tooth off. Also while its at TDC make sure the Distributor isn't a tooth off also.

 

Try spraying ether (starting fluid) into the intake while it is idling. If the engine smooths out, then you know it is fuel related. Be careful with the ether, don't spray too much. If it is fuel, I'd:

1. drop the tank and clean it out
2. replace the fuel filter
3. remove and clean all injectors and the rail