88 dakota 2wd transplant v6 to v8
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88 dakota 2wd transplant v6 to v8
My truck needs more power, the 3.9 it’s just not doing it for me...
Truck has a 3.9 v6 auto trans 2wd
I’d like to install a mild 318 or 360 sbm LA carbed engine
The 3.9 its a tbi, I’m going with a carbed setup
I have been doing tons of reading but most of the swaps are on newer Dakotas with magnum motors. I have some questions
I have a long block 318 that i can use but i could go to a junk yard and find a 360
1. Will a premagnum sbm LA 318 or 360 have issues with the motor mounts or will it bolt on the same motor mounts as the 3.9
2. Will a oil pan from a 82 ram d150 fit the Dakota
3. What kind of flywheel does a 360 need it not being internally balanced?
4. Do I need a different torque converter with either the 318 or the 360?
5. What kind of electric fan and controller do I need that won’t cost an arm and a leg
6. How do I lower the psi on the stock fuel pump to feed the carb
I’m not a noob, I’m a full time mechanic, I just have never done swaps like this, please help me so I can get the Dakota smoking some tires
Truck has a 3.9 v6 auto trans 2wd
I’d like to install a mild 318 or 360 sbm LA carbed engine
The 3.9 its a tbi, I’m going with a carbed setup
I have been doing tons of reading but most of the swaps are on newer Dakotas with magnum motors. I have some questions
I have a long block 318 that i can use but i could go to a junk yard and find a 360
1. Will a premagnum sbm LA 318 or 360 have issues with the motor mounts or will it bolt on the same motor mounts as the 3.9
2. Will a oil pan from a 82 ram d150 fit the Dakota
3. What kind of flywheel does a 360 need it not being internally balanced?
4. Do I need a different torque converter with either the 318 or the 360?
5. What kind of electric fan and controller do I need that won’t cost an arm and a leg
6. How do I lower the psi on the stock fuel pump to feed the carb
I’m not a noob, I’m a full time mechanic, I just have never done swaps like this, please help me so I can get the Dakota smoking some tires
Last edited by 8287rams; Jul 20, 2009 at 10:36 PM.
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From: Goffstown, NH
For the fuel pressure, install an inline manual regulator w/gauge.
For the fan, there are some 16" fans out there that don't cost a whole lot and the thermal switches for them are pretty cheap.
I'd look into a finding a 2wd 727 for the 318 or 360 as the one behind the 3.9 probably won't last too long.
You will need a rear sump oil pan for the swap (i believe).
I'm not sure about the motor mounts or the flywheel though. I think that the mount should work though, you may need to just fab some up.
For the fan, there are some 16" fans out there that don't cost a whole lot and the thermal switches for them are pretty cheap.
I'd look into a finding a 2wd 727 for the 318 or 360 as the one behind the 3.9 probably won't last too long.
You will need a rear sump oil pan for the swap (i believe).
I'm not sure about the motor mounts or the flywheel though. I think that the mount should work though, you may need to just fab some up.
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Joined: Dec 2010
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I swapped from a manual trans to a 904 behind my v-6 in my 90 4X2 and added 2inches to make the bracket far enough forward to make it work with the manual crossmember. I have been doing research and have been thinking about a 318 to put in mine and found that if I were to take the 2 inches back out of the bracket a small block v-8 could fit with a 904 moving the engine back 2 inches and no fan it would clear the radiator. I have the same issue as you. The cost, I have seen engine swap kits upwards of $600 that doesn't include exhaust headers, oil pan, shortening the driveline. Good luck If you can find an inexpensive route.
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