came over to the dark side

[Joseph Donnelly]

Wednesday I bought a 1990 2WD AT Turbo Diesel as an addition to our family of Mopars (2 PT Cruisers and one 2004 Turbo Diesel). You will see my progress with the new arrival in future issues of the TDR. i am starting with the KDP and exhaust manifold. The manifold had shrunk 1/4 inch and fortunately did not break a bolt or an ear off the head. The KDP turned out to have moved, although "urban legend" has it that they seldom move on first gen Rams. In fact, it was just about ready to fall out (200,000 miles on the truck).

 

[crobertson1]

Wow! Congrats on the new project. I can't wait to hear what you do to it!

 

[cerberusiam]

Glad to see ya Joe.



'Bought time you got a REAL truck to write about!

 

[Bill Stockard]

I'm pleased to see Joe adding additional material to the First Gen section in the magazine. We've needed an additional writer for that section of the magazine for a long time. Welcome to the First Gen section, Joe!



Bill

 

[crobertson1]

I'm pleased to see Joe adding additional material to the First Gen section in the magazine. We've needed an additional writer for that section of the magazine for a long time. Welcome to the First Gen section, Joe!



Bill

Amen to that! There is a definite lack of 1st gen material in TDR, and items in the Geno's catalogue.

 

[PToombs]

Joe, I hope you loctited the case bolts too.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Yep, the bolts weren't tight. They hadn't backed out, but that wwould be next, after the dowel pin falling out. It was almost to the end of the double deep hole in the gear case. I drove it back in. Glad I didn't wait on that. Also got the BD 3-piece exhaust manifold on it; the original manifold had shrunk a quarter inch.



It is sure nice to hear that traditional diesel clatter again.

 

[DeanP]

Is this the exhaust manifold you got, Joe?

BD PULSE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ('88-'98, 12V) DODGE-Dodge Cummins Diesel Truck Accessories – Geno’s Garage

I might need one for my '93.

 

[MMeier]

I say ...

... give him 6 months and it will have twins, a p Pump conversion, massive IC, and who knows what else !!! Just don't tell Betty I gave you any ideas !!

 

[RSchwarzli]

... give him 6 months and it will have twins, a p Pump conversion, massive IC, and who knows what else !!! Just don't tell Betty I gave you any ideas !!

:-laf:-laf Was thinking the same thing! With him, I give under 6.....



Really though, welcome to the funny farm! Glad to see you found a good old one to play with!

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Yes, that is the exhaust manifold I got (BD). I like the stainless, very high grade bolts and the moderate sized, shaped ports to give the best velocity and flow into the turbo. Usually stainless bolts are too soft, but these are similar in grade to what Cummins uses on the center section to turbine housing of the turbos. I am using the same manifold on my 2004 with BD twin turbos (with the inlets machined round for a 24 valve/HPCR engine instead of rectangular for a 12 valve). BTW, BD can supply a package of 6 head to manifold gaskets and the turbo mounting gasket, saving a trip to Cummins. Contact me privately if you need more info.



I don't have plans for big fueling, intercoolers, etc. At least, not right now The truck is mostly for in-town commuting by my son to the university. Don't want him to have "too much" power, hehe.

 

[southpaw]

welcome back Joe, I have missed your projects and your articles in the tdr. glad to have you abord.

 

[hdm48]

Trying to keep yer kid down, huh?

Well, I got news for ya, in a very short time you will hear the words, "DAD! I NEED better injectors, and that pump either needs work or NEEDS to be turned up. DAD! I NEED a better turbo, I can't hear the one that's in there. DAD! I NEED to get the transmission fixed, it slips when it shifts,,, and so on, and so on.



The problem here is you, you've set a bad example with all that high performance diesel talk and stuff.



I have two sons so I can say, I feel for ya buddy, been there, done that.



Oh yea, almost forgot, AAA Plus is a really good thing





Dave

 

[hdm48]

OH yea, forgot the best one.



DAD! if I pull the head and manifold and stuff, can you port it on saturday???



Oh, and I need to use your tools

 

[Firstgenfanantic]

Amen to that! There is a definite lack of 1st gen material in TDR, and items in the Geno's catalogue.

Glad to see that someone else notices a lack of 1st gen items. Don't get me wrong, I like TDR and all of the items in their magazine. I feel (so does many others) that the 1st gen trucks are becoming a forgotten vehicle of the diesel world. I personally would like to see more items offered by the Geno's catalog. There are still many items available for the 89-93 trucks... ... ... . (fuel pins, injectors, air-intake systems, and a few specific dress-up items for the exterior. Glad to see another 1st gen owner come into the picture.

 

[MMeier]

Hmmm...

... . first it was my 3rd gen that made him get one... now my '93 has worn off on him !!!! LOL! :-laf

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Even a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while.

 

[Grey Wolf]

Nice Joe. Do we get photos or do we have to wait for the magazine

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

No photos yet. It is silver colored and the previous owner painted the hubs and wheels silver. I gotta get my kid out of it long enough to work on it or photograph it

 

[Grey Wolf]

Ah, it sounds like he's enjoying it:-laf