1986 Dodge Ram Truck won't start

RIKMAN

MEMBER
1986 DODGE RAM
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
198,000 MILES

I have a 1986 Dodge ram custom 150 pick up. I have changed the alternator. Plugs, distributer cap and rotor, electrical seleniod box on firewall. A newly charged battery. Changed the Fuel pump, fuel filter. And fuel lines. And put in a used 2 barrell carburator. It still wont start. The only thing I have noticed is there is a fuseable link on the driver side of the truck in the engine compartment with one wire in from the direction of the batery out to 4 wires. One of the wires id burnt out and I have replaced it with a 14 guage fuseable link wire. Can you tell me what I need to do to get the truck running again? It was woriking fine up til now. The engine turns when I turn the key and I have gas in the tank. I have primed the carburator and it started once but wont start again.

Sunday, September 7th, 2008 AT 5:25 PM

5 Replies

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Check if you have spark
check timing
let me know

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Monday, September 8th, 2008 AT 10:09 AM

LYNN75

MEMBER
10 POSTS

If you primed the carb and it started once, you may need to keep priming that carb more to finally get it running. Try starting fluid and keep pumping on the pedal while cranking it over, works for me.

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Monday, September 8th, 2008 AT 10:30 AM

SKEETR969

MEMBER
7 POSTS

If you aren't getting spark, or it's very weak, check my post out and see if it helps...
https://www.2carpros.com/forum/here-vp369725.html#369725

Yours sounds like carb or fuel pressure problems though.

I'm not ruling out timing, I have a D50 that had some parts come lose in the timing chain housing and they got caught in the chain/gear and popped a hole about the size of a silver dollar in the valve cover. If that happens, you just as well rebuild the whole thing if it uses oil or burns it, because the head is most likely going to need rebuilt.

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Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 AT 8:34 PM

CWHITE161

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5 POSTS

On my 89 dodge 318 I was having the similar problem. After replacing $1500 in parts trying to resolve the problem I found out that under my cap and rotor theres a second cap and rotor (wouldn't know it my looking at it, i've replaced the top one about 5 times and still didn't realize there was a second one under it). Mine was complety rusted out, and that was my problem. Hope it helps

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Friday, October 17th, 2008 AT 3:40 AM

SKEETR969