1988 Dodge Truck HELP

Worn distributor bushing, vacuum leak, worn camshaft lobe, sloppy timing chain, burned valve.

Burned valve will sound like an air compressor, and can be found with a cylinder leakage test.

Vacuum leak can be found by spraying water around the intake manifold gaskets.

Worn timing chain can be verified by removing the mechanical fuel pump block-off plate and pushing on the chain with a piece of coat hanger wire.

Worn distributor bushing can be verified by watching timing marks with a timing light. Timing will be erratic and marks will be bouncing all over.

Worn cam lobe / weak cylinder can be found with a cylinder power balance test.

Caradiodoc