What should I do first? Need help please

[Ryan Waterkotte]

Hello everyone, I picked up a 75' Dodge W200 for a good price. Has a dump bed and plow. I drove it home yesterday and it ran rough. Spit and sputtered. Where do I start on it? Should I put new plugs and wires, all new fluids? It has the 318 on it. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

 

[BWL]

If it's been sitting then at least change the engine oil, but that will not be the issue. Checking the timing would probably be my next thing as that could cause it to run rough if its out and check the cap for cracks, heavy wear etc. Then carb would be my next thing to check over. @crazzywolfie is one of the more knowledgeable guys on this forum when it comes to this era of trucks. I always try to start with the cheapest guesses first

 

[crazzywolfie]

new plugs wire/distributor cap would be a good place to start. there is a good chance the carb may need a rebuild if it spends too much time sitting. probably best to see about getting t running better first before changing out all the fluids.

 

[Ryan Waterkotte]

Great thank you both for giving me some feedback. Anything and everything helps. I'll let you know how things are looking once I get the new tune up kit from RockAuto. Thanks again and I'm sure I'll have many more questions.

 

[Ryan Waterkotte]

Great thank you both for giving me some feedback. Anything and everything helps. I'll let you know how things are looking once I get the new tune up kit from RockAuto. Thanks again and I'm sure I'll have many more questions.

 

[Ryan Waterkotte]

Great thank you both for giving me some feedback. Anything and everything helps. I'll let you know how things are looking once I get the new tune up kit from RockAuto. Thanks again and I'm sure I'll have many more questions.

 

[Ryan Waterkotte]

Another quick question. What type of spark plug should I go with? Seems that a lot of sites are saying go with the copper plugs because of the year with it using less voltage.

 

[aidmyaim]

Another quick question. What type of spark plug should I go with? Seems that a lot of sites are saying go with the copper plugs because of the year with it using less voltage.

I second whAt the sites are saying for sure!


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[JohnnyMac]

Does a 75 have points/condenser or electronic ignition? That would be a high pri check as well. I had an old 351W in my boat with points and I bought a (fairly inexpensive) electronic ignition kit that replaced the points and it ran a ton better afterwords.

**Edit**

Also, I'm guessing you have one coil, so I'd check that as well. Did it run bad at higher RPM's only or lower or the same across the board.

 

[crazzywolfie]

i usually go with the NGK V power ones. pretty sure they are copper core but they have always worked good for me.

 

[hotrod45]

Find some pictures of various kinds of spark plug fouling. Inspect the old plugs as you take them out and note the cylinder # on anything that looks questionable so you have it for later reference.