Troubleshooting Gutless Dodge 2500

[Dmace]

You said it doesn't have the "Tow/Haul" button but does it have the O/D Off button to stop it from shifting into overdrive?

I had an old Ford with the same lack of power feel and it turned out to be a bad torque converter. It felt like it was always in too high of a gear. If you can shut off the overdrive then it should stop locking the torque converter.

As far as the catalytic converter, just take off the tail pipe and clean out that cat with a broomstick. :thumbsup:

 

[powerstroke444e]

Had a few of the dodge's with the 360 in it and the cat's clog up all the time and they went throught cap's and wires yearly. On the other side even runing right I always wondered how they could use that much fuel and not have any power

 

[Dmace]

On the other side even runing right I always wondered how they could use that much fuel and not have any power

Apparently you either didn't have one or it was never "running right". They weren't high hp engines but that 325-lb.ft of torque was from just above idle and up and you could tell with a load behind one. Considering the competition, it was easily the best V8 in a truck of that time.

Just noticed the user name, obviously another Phord Phan...

 

[Diamondpilot]

Apparently you either didn't have one or it was never "running right". They weren't high hp engines but that 325-lb.ft of torque was from just above idle and up and you could tell with a load behind one. Considering the competition, it was easily the best V8 in a truck of that time.

Just noticed the user name, obviously another Phord Phan...

I have to agree. I know I will get jumped all over for this but my boating buddy has a 2002 I think 1500 Dodge with a 360 5.9L. It would out pull my 2003 2500 with a 5.7L Hemi any day of the week. Not sure what gear, ect but it was a much better pulling motor than the Hemi I had.

I really think the guys are on the right track with the Cat. I would start by checking it first.

I have always been a big 360 fan. I just wish they would have built upon it for the trucks. Back in the late 90's I wanted a Durango with a 360 so bad but the money was never right on them. You could get a fully loaded Crew Cab F-150 or Expedition/Tahoe for about the same money.
Chris

 

[powerstroke444e]

Just noticed the user name, obviously another Phord Phan...

I have had a about even number of fords and dodges, I would agree compared to the Ford 351 the dodge 360 would out pull it any day had both but the dodge would use twice the fuel.

The nice thing with the dodges were the price they were always a few grand cheaper than a ford or chevy. The user name came from building and running lots of old 7.3l and newer 444e's. My perfect truck would be f550 with a cummins transplant.

Have a 04 3500 with 417000 on it & 97 f450 with a 7.3l in it.

 

[cowski]

change the fuel filter,look at the exhaust pipe, converter and muffler .too see if something is expanded.

 

[RobertN]

My experience was different. I always found I got good mileage, and power from the LA motors(318/360).

My 351 Ford made nice power, and did ok on gas.

The couple Chevy pickups with 350's, sucked gas to no end, and did not have the power.

I have had a about even number of fords and dodges, I would agree compared to the Ford 351 the dodge 360 would out pull it any day had both but the dodge would use twice the fuel.

 

[Egon]

You fellar's are just a little to young to have experienced the 383 or 440's.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I guess it all boils down to how they are used and what options they were ordered with on which was the best or worse during the 90's.
Back to the OP exhaust, plugs and wires keep up posted.

 

[powerstroke444e]

You fellar's are just a little to young to have experienced the 383 or 440's.

Old guy always shows up at the truck pull at the county fair with a stock looking 70s dodge with 440 and takes the trophies. Never had one but would had to feed one with $4 gas.

 

[Soundguy]

i really like my 360 in my old dodge.

and it don't go thru caps or wires either.

it is on the 2nd set of caps and wires since new.. IE.. the set it came with from dodge.. and the set I put on 6ys ago.. same witht he plugs


runs good.

dash is beat, and interior kinda rough... paint peeling.. but starts and runs.

i've put a starter and water pump and radiator in it.. plus the usuale.. brakes..e tc.

oh yeah.. did repalce a fuel pump when she was 4ys old... um.. replaced core for aircon too.. hoses.. belts.. yadayada..

4wd works fine.. use it often..

soundguy

I have to agree. I know I will get jumped all over for this but my boating buddy has a 2002 I think 1500 Dodge with a 360 5.9L. It would out pull my 2003 2500 with a 5.7L Hemi any day of the week. Not sure what gear, ect but it was a much better pulling motor than the Hemi I had.

I really think the guys are on the right track with the Cat. I would start by checking it first.

I have always been a big 360 fan. I just wish they would have built upon it for the trucks. Back in the late 90's I wanted a Durango with a 360 so bad but the money was never right on them. You could get a fully loaded Crew Cab F-150 or Expedition/Tahoe for about the same money.
Chris

 

[Knight9]

Well I had to go pick my tractor back up yesterday. So before I left I did some of the simple checks.

Air filter's not new, but was still very clean. All plugs were snug. Double checked the transmission fluid. It is indeed clean as well.

Paid a little more attention to the symptoms on the return trip as well. At start up and low speeds it seems pretty solid. Pulling out of my driveway with the empty trailer it spun a little gravel. Under load with the trailer on the symptoms are worse and in fact I would say it almost "chugs" a bit with a bit of lurching.

I have a local mechanic who I've had do a few things for me that I can trust. I'll take it in and get him to look at the catalytic converter. If it's not too pricey, it may be worthwhile replacing it just as a bit of test before I decide to junk the thing altogether.

I've attached a pic of the truck in question. Just because we all love pics on here! ;-)

​

 

[Treemonkey1000]

That is a nice looking truck! I hope that it is a reasonably cheap fix. I know on the Old Dodge Cop car that I had once I replaced the catalytic converter it ran great. At least you have your tractor back.

 

[Egon]

Wish my truck looked as nice as that one.:thumbsup::

Some folks modify the existing catalytic converter if it becomes plugged.

 

[Diamondpilot]

That is too nice of a truck to junk. Do you have inspections where you live? We do not. Hang on to your hat on the converter thing. I had to replace one on my last GM and it was over a grand.

Chris

 

[YesDeere]

Junk it???? Dang man. Where you at. I wanna see the rest of your throwaways!!

 

[YesDeere]

I gutted my convertor on my 97 dodge with the 360. It turned the check engine light on. It messed with the o2 sensor. Eventually replaced the convertor. But yes it is pretty common for them to come apart and clog

 

[Egon]

I gutted my convertor on my 97 dodge with the 360. It turned the check engine light on. It messed with the o2 sensor.

I should have know that messing with designed systems makes for bigger problems.

 

[PoorMansCat]

A simple test for the cat is to drill a hole in the pipe just infront of and just behind the cat..... start the truck and measure the exhaust pressure coming from each of the holes. The pressure should be the same.. a significant difference means that the cat is plugged.

 

[PoorMansCat]

You fellar's are just a little to young to have experienced the 383 or 440's.

oh no... im not THAT old.. but I DID have the good fortune to own both a 383 equipped and a 440 equipped Dodge chargers.... both of the "round taillight" variety...
GOD I wish I still had those cars!!!!
I used to street race the 440..... It had the Dana 60 with 4:10 and the 727... beat lots of "Daddy built" muscle with that old heap.... it was in primer and the only thing new was a carburetor and the valve cover gaskets!!!..
I've built and driven lots of fast cars in my life, but thats the only one that ever truly scared me... !!!
People never make mention of the old 383 and 440 anymore....Thanks for the trip down memory lane.....