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Nicks Dakota
Dodge Dakota
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7/06/2002
21:53:55

Subject: Am I on the right track?
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I have a 97, regular cab, 5.2L (318) Dakota. I have half of a flowmaster exhaust (when I bought it used it was the whole system, but I had a little run in with a rock in Moab :) So the actual muffler is now a "Ravin" which is the Midas house brand I beleive)

That is the only mod I have made to my beloved truck. I realize that the exhaust does nothing for preformance to the truck, but does sound cool. I know it needs to breath eaiser. And since my filter housing is bent and basically broken. Despite that I have fixed it with duct tape it needs to go. A K&N Gen II seams like the route to go. Am I right on this?

Also I may have a few bucks coming my way and I am considering a new TB. I have searched the site, but have not found much relating to the 318.

I'm changing my spark plugs for 3923's tonight, and putting in the robert shaw 180 T-Stat. I will probbaly replace the wires soon as I am just over 70K miles.

Am I on the right track with these mods? Please help the new motor head...I've spent most of my tinkering time with wood.

Nick



DaveR
Dodge Dakota
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7/06/2002
21:59:41

RE: Am I on the right track?
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A good exaust will help some. Getting a motor to breath better also involves letting it exhale through a less restrictive exaust. A K&N FIPK seems to be that most recognized name, but there are others around as well. Unfortunatly I can't think of any at the moment. As far as TB's are concerned a stock 318 motor will be more than happy with a 50mm unit. That will flow plenty of air, but not so much as to make the motor stumble and fall on it's face.



Nicks Dakota
Dodge Dakota
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7/07/2002
02:49:43

RE: Am I on the right track?
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I ran into a slight problem while changing the spark plugs. When standing in front of the car the right side was fairly easy and quick to change. However the left side was not so. Aparently while off roading some mud found its way into the engine compartment. I replaced the air filter as it was drenched in mud, pretty much right afterwords. But I replaced the front two plugs, but the back to have to much dirt in the heat shield to get the spark plug wrench around em. I tried using my shop vac to suck up the dirt, and then blow it out. Neither was very successful.

How can I get the dirt out of the heat shield? I contempleted using a hose and spraying it in the shield until it cleaned itself. But as I grow up I've learned most of these ideas I have are bad. So now that I've found this great place I thought I should ask what you would do?



yates-in-de
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7/07/2002
04:58:53

RE: Am I on the right track?
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Use the pressure spray nossle at the local car wash or in your drive way. Oh and by the way clean a lot of the other dirt and oil off the engine. The worst that can happen is that you soak the distributer and have to dry it out.
The engine gets splashed every time it rains through the radiator and from underneith (just like the mud got in there)all the time WATER will not hurt an engine. A Clean Engine is a Happy Engine.
Lynn

'02 Flame Red CC, 4.7, 5 Speed, 3.92's, KB Optimizer II, IP Z-Tube w/7" S&B,[b] 3" Y-pipe back w/Flowmaster 50 Series,[b]Bell Tech 2"x4" Drop, Saddleman Soft Tonneau, RS 180 t-stat, Autolite 3923's,[b]Pirelli Scorpion Zero's 275/60-16's, Savin for the KB Twin Screw Super Charger

Nicks Dakota
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7/07/2002
17:17:05

RE: Am I on the right track?
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I clenaed out the plugs and got em all but one out. So I now have 87.5% of my cylinders capable of running. Makes me wish for my friends 4 cylinder car. Half the work.

I can't beleive I'm having this much trouble chaning the spark plugs. But I can't get the last one out. Its on the passenger side. Second from the back. It faces towards the cab. And the darn thing wont come out. I removed the filter already. But the accumilator is in the way and it seams like a lost cause at this point.

Is there any hope?

Also whats the difference between an M-1 intake and the K&N?



Nicks Dakota
Dodge Dakota
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7/07/2002
18:26:44

RE: Am I on the right track?
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Nevermind I knew that would happen.

I would post the question making me look stupid, and then go and figure it out.

As I had thought based on my observations with a mirro the head was basically stribbed out of the plug. Don't know how but it got mad kicked the bumper tried one last time and got the damn thing. Who knew?



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