i have a 1990 W 350 single cab long box dodge cummins, I have no clue really how to work on them or really anything about them. I'm wondering what I can do to make some power, and maybe even get a little smoke to dump without putting a lot of money into it, guess I just really have no clue where to start wondering if anyone has any ideas?

 

There's a lot of things to do with these trucks. Here are some topics to do some research on.

1. Changing fuel pins in the rotary pump.
2. Changing governor springs in your rotary pump.
3. Adding an intercooler since your truck likely doesn't have one.
4. Cold air intake (or just getting rid of the restrictive box that's on there stock.
5. Modifying your H1C turbo to get more boost.
6. Bigger injectors.

There are lots more things that you can do but these are the pretty straight forward things that add power.

 

No cost performance mods:
- remove and re-install fuel pin rotated about 90* (to the steepest/deepest profile)
- turn the smoke screw in a bit (located in top cover you removed to get at fuel pin)
- remove muffler

Try those first... there's other free adjustments (starwheel, fuel screw, timing) and cheap mods (aftermkt fuel pin, gov spring) but you should really get some gauges before going there.

 

Interesting I will start with these things.