Ok I have a 1966 Dart wagon. The guy I got it from put a 5.2L magnum engine and a 904 trans in it from a 96 Dodge Ram.

The motor needs a rebuild. But because it is a 96 the shop I go to for motors, wants to charge me $1299 for a rebuild.

For a pre-86 318 they only charge $799

If I get the earlier motor will the mounts and tranny work the same? The blocks are the same aren't they?

Any info would be greatly appreciated. My car budget is only $150 a month so saving 500 bucks would be great. I got a buddy who can just give me an old 1970 motor.

 

I'd want to know why the difference, my guess would be head work as some Mag heads are prone to valve seat cracking. They could be CYA without inspecting what you have. Can't hurt to ask.

 

You can buy a good used 440 for $500.00, if you look around. Check Phoenix C List. Or a town near you. In a wagon you gonna need a big motor if you want to do any hot rodding. But if you just want a grocery getter, go with the 318. They call it Chryslers mule motor. Cause it doesn't take alot to keep it going once it starts. And will pretty much run forever if maintained well.

 

Oh and yea the 318 should bolt up to the 904 ok. But if the 360 is a cast crank motor(I think most were) then the assembly is externally balanced with the harmonic balancer and torque converter. So you would need to modify or change the 360 torque converter. The 318 is internally balanced I believe. So the torque converter is balanced by itself. Or zero balanced they call it.

 

I would stick with the Magnum if at all possible. It's a much better engine. You get roller lifters, better intake, better flowing heads, more fuel mileage, more power, just way better all around. Plus no swap issues like the TQ converter, etc.

 

is the engine electronically controlled or old school
one way to save money is too do most the work yourself have the shop do the machine work you do the assembly work
my motor still cost me 1800 parts and machine work heads and such my motor was solid we just honed it and rebuilt it low mileage roller la motor
that's up to the left
the work u want done is this just buy ing a remanufactured motor or having yours rebuilt are u keeping it stock or are you modifying it
the mounts should work fine just get new rubbers for the 318 make sure the motor has mounts attached to it there may be some difference but if he didn't modify the k member mounts your 318 will go right in just change the tork converter

 

Shrug,

Look at the intake bolts on that motor and tell us if the bolt are perpendicular to the ground or do they angle towards the heads?

I ask this because you cant bolt up the old school intakes to magnum heads as the heads are drilled differently. You CAN tig up the holes and redrill them but lets make sure you have a magnum assembly first.

Magnums use a different rings and have a roller cam and roller lifters. That will up the price. Coronet is spot on with the head comment. They crack between the seats. Rebuilt heads with hardware run 185 each so its not crazy money but its an added expense. The 8mm valve is more money.

 

The 904 is probably the original trans. In 96 most had overdrive and different PN designations. In the long run the Magnum although more money would be a better choice

 

Good point by PK1, I forgot if they replace the roller cam price goes up, a regrind not so much. New lifters pricey compared to flats, a few more things to ask, see what your getting for your money.