1976 Dodge Ram Truck is missing and having a hard time goin

1976 DODGE RAM
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JAYMAC83
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Engine Performance problem
1976 Dodge Ram V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 100M miles

We just had new headers put on this truck. Now, the engine is missing when accelerating and barely will make it up a hill. Some puffs of white smoke come out of the left exhauset pipe. We've checked to make sure all the wires are lined up right on the distributor and they are. Can you think of anything?
May 16, 2009 at 11:09 AM
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RASMATAZ
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1976 Dodge Ram Truck is missing and having a hard time goin

Engine misfiring can be caused by worn or fouled spark plugs, a weak spark (weak coil, bad spark plug wire), loss of compression, vacuum leaks, anything that causes an unusually lean fuel mixture (lean misfire), an EGR valve that is stuck open, dirty fuel injectors, low fuel pressure, or even bad fuel.

Dirty fuel injectors (cleaning the injectors often fixes this).
Bad MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor
Bad TPS (throttle position) sensor
Bad or dirty MAF (mass airflow) sensor
Low fuel pressure (leaky fuel pressure regulator or weak fuel pump)
Vacuum leaks (intake manifold, vacuum hoses, throttle body, EGR valve)
Bad gasoline (fuel contaminated with water or too much alcohol)

Sometimes, what feels like a hesitation is actually ignition misfire rather than lean misfire. The causes of ignition misfire may include:

Dirty or worn spark plugs
Bad plug wires
Weak ignition coil
Wet plug wires
May 16, 2009 at 5:42 PM
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