I have a dodge ram 1500 great truck for the first 140,000 miles nothing but trouble since. I bought a reman engine from S and J and the engine over heated and pinged. They warranty the engine sent a new one, same thing this time they blamed it on my truck. I had the ECM checked and updated, had the fuel trims read all in spec, ran higher octane fuel, replaced fuel pump, air filter,plenum seals,thermostat,radiator,injector seals, coil packs are good and injectors are good still they blamed the problem on my truck . Got an attorney and they refunded my money bought another rebuild from Yamato PW engines ran great had a rear main leak they warranty that. 7 months later started to here valve train noise and pinged when towing a trailer, never did that with the original engine. So took it in had them check it out they found pitting number 8 cylinder did leak down and found 5% loss tight so the manufactures said it was a detonation problem and from the sounds of it my engine has to come out again. This would make it number 5 and it could cost me between 1300 and 2700 because I have had this problem before with the two previous engines. If it is something they did they will replace it. If I drive the truck the warranty is voided. Looks like I’m over a barrel. I have come to the conclusion the 4.7 should not be rebuilt unless you buy everything new including heads and it’s a junk engine! I got this feeling if I pull the engine out and send it back up magically they will tell me it’s my truck and all expenses are on me full price 2700. If I say no they send me a bill for tearing down and a box of parts. If I spend the money I’m going to be here again because all 4.7 engines are junk everyone I know who has owned one has had major issues. If I sell it someone else they will be going through this and it’s still a nice truck. So I would like to pull the engine and put a 318 or 360 in it. Has anyone done this? What engine is best? Should I get rid of the electronics or run a throttle body injection? Swap out ECM and engine trany from a donor car?

 

Only real question I have is, where do you live? Are emissions important? If so, you could run into a problem as the LA engines aren't certified for the newer vihicles. if you don't care, the easiest one would be a carburated 318, or 360, the 360 would give you better torque.

j

 

I never knew much about this engine until I read about it just now. Sounds like a complicated, over-engineered and precise engine with far too many things that could go wrong in a rebuild. A complete engine, transmission computer swap is the way I would go 318 or 360 your choice.
Emissions is a good point, we are now putting a carb 318 into a EFI 5.2 truck. It will have to pass the spec for the trucks V.I.N. which my mechanic pal says should be no problem as most all V8's pass easily. If there is a problem set the timing 0 or ATDC, it will idle terribly but pass.
I'll have to ask him if disabiling the vacum advance is necessary aswell.

 

The problem is with the 4.7L motors is that once they over heat they run like poop. A full rebuild will result in almost the same thing from what I saw in the shop (use to work for a large local dealer). They are a very nice motor (the HO motors anyways).

If you are looking for a swap, do not go with a 318 Magnum. The 4.7L puts out just under the power of a 360 Magnum. If anything, go that route or a 5.7L. Either way though, you will need a engine wiring harness, PCM, motor mounts, and I'm not too sure but maybe a torque convertor. Not sure if the bellhousing bolt patterns are the same either. you'll want to look for a 03 1500 with a 5.9L in it if you want to swap in a 360.

If the truck doesn't have any sentimental value, I think it may be better to sell it off and get another one with a 5.9 or 5.7 (just calling it how I see it though).

 

It won’t, its completely different technology since the 4.7 replaced the 318, the transmission will not bolt up either. Same goes for the 360, it will not work at all.

 

Never even seen a 4.7 but it sounds like the 2.7 a through away engine.

 

5.7 Hemi is a much easier swap. Damn near plug and play, and way more efficient than the boat anchor 5.9. That being said, the 5.9 was offered in the DR in 2002. If your 2005 and down, this is a feasible swap (still PCI bus, 06 up is CAN). I can let you know what is needed for either swap if interested.

 

What year Hemi or out of what vehicle would be best?

 

I would like to get some of that info from you if I may!! My 4.7 is running but not very good and want to swap it for a 318 from a 99 is this possible