Hello all !!
I have recently aquired a 1995 dodge dakota 4x4 with an 318 magnum the motor is shot.
i have an 1965 to 1970 performance 318 in the shop with this bolt in and up to the exsisting trany and mounts.
thanks

 

You.......don't want to do this for several reasons

FIRST and foremost, if your state, or a neighboring state have active smog checks, you'll never be able to certify it.

Second, the late "Magnum" series engines are superior in many ways, and....

the mounts on the block may be different. I've been told late Magnums had different block fittings than the LA series.

65-70 covers a lot of ground. If it is really a 65, it's an "A" or so called "Polyspherical" engine, sometimes wrongly called a "wide block 318." If it's more like '70, it's the LA style, similar to 340/360 engines

The quick way to ID them is look at the valve covers. If the covers have "scallops" on the exhaust side, it's the earlier "Poly" engine

early "Poly" engine, look at the wavy valve covers:



"LA" style engine, 273, late 318, 340/ 360. Note straight sided valve covers

 

I'm doing it in a 92 Ram right now and it's a pain in the rear but enjoying it with my son. Here in Ontario Canada we have an E-Test, (E for emissions) which is done each time you change ownership and then subsequent years as the law call fors. They place a vibration sensor on the hood to read RPM and another in the pipe, run it through a sequence and it is sent to the ministry. You get your pass or fail right there and if ok off to get licensed and it's on file. They never lift the hood and it must match for that vehicles acceptable level of emmisions. My good mechanic buddy says the older V8's do very well and almost never fail, even compared to newer EFI numbers. Your biggest thing to overcome is wiring. If you go ahead put cats on it for sure.
If your truck is in good shape I would probably say magnum with MA-X heads, unless you enjoy figuring out problems and building stuff like my son and I. We are not quite right, but having fun.