Truck problem...

I am haveing a problem with my '77 Ram. When I got the truck it was running very sluggish. But I figured $450 was a steal so I took it. I replaced the valve covers, pcv valve, oil breather cap, a couple of vacuum hoses and fixed the front end brakes since they were ended up locking up on me.

However after all of this the problem remains the same except worse. I have little to no power with the engine just reving it's heart out. I have to floor it to get it to move and even then we're talking just barely moving. It seams to shift fine and works accordingly in all gears so I don't think it's a tranny problem. I think probably it's a vacuum problem or atleast that is what I am told. But what can I do as a basic check over?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated as always!

If the engine is revving and the motor is making power, could be either the torque converter or the tranny is smoked. Did you check the fluid level in the tranny????

Wow Streets, so far every post I have ever made on this site you are wanna of the first to reply and it is always some sarcastic comment......

Anyway, is there anything else besides the engine being messed up or the tranny being messed up that it could be? I jacked up the back end and gave it gas while in drive and the back end spun fine.... but after it was back on the ground now it once again barely even budges. I guess maybe the engine is shot........

putting the rear on jackstands and revving it in gear really dosen't do anything cause there is no load on the tranny or engine but it sounds like the torque converter is shot maby causa low fluid or wear but I'd dout that the engine is shot unless it' a .high milage vehicle. Streets is probably right though, it wasn't running right so they sold it to you very cheap.

CarFreak,
You might check the catalytic converter, if it has one. It could be plugged up.

Just an idea.

Gary B

I think htrdsx might be right. Are you hearing any " hiss" type of noise at the tailpipe when engine is revved? It wouldn't hurt to pull the cat conv. and drive it. I have experienced this problem myself.

I have to agree with Tech on this one....start with the engine & work back. Sounds like tranny to me- but that is just a long distance guess.
I had a Ford PU do that to me once, I thought that it was a blown head gasket because of the loss of power, but it ran fine at a idle, the end result was that the 2nd & 3rd gear sprockets had self welded themselfs togather and it was trying to pull both gears at once. I had never seen this before - so when it happened I was stumped- bad.
I found it by doing what Tech has advised you to do......
Good Luck & let us know what it turns out to be....