Allright I got my suspension all squared away, new brakes, tie rode ends, ball joints , etc.. and I'm driving my truck more now. The problem I'm having is the truck feels way underpowered. The motor is a crate 305 with about 5,000 miles on it. The tranny is the stock 700R4 auto with 97000 miles on it. Tires are stock, gears are stock and this truck has factory TBI. The TBI was cleaned and rebuilt at the same time as the motor was put in.

The problem I'm having is that if it's cold and I put it in gear the motor idles way down and almost sounds like it's gonna die. Put it back in Park or Neutral and the motor idles/revs fine. Get it out on the road and highway and the motor seem sluggish, and so to speak works to maintain 55mph in OD. Just doesn't seem like theres any power like there was with the old motor. (dont' even ask why I didn't swap in a 350 when I swapped in another 305).

Any ideas as to what I can check that could be the problem (other than the 305)

TmbrRtlr

To answer your question we need more info. So tell us, why didn't you swap in a 350 instead of replacing the 305? Thats a big mistake there. Oh yeah what gears and tires does it have? Like 235's and 3.08 gears are probably stock? If so that equals gutless on a 4x4. Sounds like you have some sort of problem with your tbi but I don't have much experience with those. Later!

Well the reason I didn't swap in a 350 was at the time I wasn't paying the bill for the motor so I didn't have much say.

The Gears are 3.42's and the tires are the stock 235's. Basically the way it seems to happen is under load the motor runs rough until it's warmed up (i.e. brakes on and putting the truck into gear) and while on the highway around 55mph it's real sluggish.

TmbrRtlr

I'll secomd the 305 being the weak link. I have a rebuilt one in my '93 K1500 which is ext cab and 8' bed. It doesn't have ballz on the highway, nothing off the line. Fortunately I just bought it to drive back and forth to work, haul stuff and go hunting or fishing. I drove a bunch of 350's before I got this one w/ the 305 and there's a huge difference.

Saclly that's what I'm feeling to. But I don't really have the $$ or the reason to swap in a 350 just yet. I'm trying to get my Jeep ready to go to Colorado for a wheeling trip and would like to tow it out there with the pickup. But I'm not sure about towing that far (central Wisconsin to Vail) with a 305. I'm sure it'll make it but I know it'll do crappy in the mountains. I'm gonna flat-tow locally for a couple local runs and see how it does and maybe borrow a trailer and give that a shot. This truck has pulled cars and campers with the old motor w/o a problem.

Thanks.

TmbrRtlr

IF it ran fine before you did the swap, and you say the TBI unit was rebuilt. I would have to guess, without seeing or hearing the motor, that you have a fuel delivery problem.
Start with the simple problems, like fuel filter, fuel pump, and go from there. It could be many things that contribute to your problem.
With 5,000 miles on a new engine, doubt that is the problem. Don't sweat the 305, its not a powerhouse but if setup right it will work fine.
Is your timing correct? All your sensors, wiring hooked up correctly? COuld have a computer problem, have you scanned for codes?
:skull:

Well the fuel pump is good, fuel filter is about as old as the motor. Scanned for codes, nothing comes up. I did flip the air cleaner cover over so the motor can draw directly through the filter rather than through the 4" dia. Pipe from behind the grill. That helped. Still not quite perfect yet but better.

TmbrRtlr

Originally posted by TmbrRtlr
Well the fuel pump is good, fuel filter is about as old as the motor. Scanned for codes, nothing comes up. I did flip the air cleaner cover over so the motor can draw directly through the filter rather than through the 4" dia. Pipe from behind the grill. That helped. Still not quite perfect yet but better.

TmbrRtlr

My 305 was a bit weak as well. I threw in a stock 350 camshaft..
It seemed to really wake it up. It is still nothing to write home about, but it's definitly better

THERE IS NO REPLACMENT FOR MORE DISPLACMENT!!! GET A BIG BLOCK OR PURCHUS A 400 AND STROKE IT TO A 426!!!. I HATE SMALL BLOCKS!!! INCHES PEOPLE INCHES!!!

400's are ok. I've seen to many in this area with overheating problems though. I would prefer to swap in a big block but that's not in the funds right now.

TmbrRtlr

Originally posted by TmbrRtlr
400's are ok. I've seen to many in this area with overheating problems though. I would prefer to swap in a big block but that's not in the funds right now.

TmbrRtlr

something tells me you didnt read this (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39348&highlight=400) thread, then. :D