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General Dakota Board
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Texson
Dodge Dakota
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7/22/2005
21:14:46
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 Subject: V6-trashed... V8 good???
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Have 95 Dakota Sport with the Mag V6. Think that my son has thrown a rod in it. Question is this... will a V8, such as an old 318 or (in my dreams) 340 bolt up to the auto trans. I know there are many other thing to worry about such as computers, fuel pumps etc. I just want to know if a true old time carburated, simple distributor engine can be shoehorned in without spending an enormous amount of money.
Is it worth it?
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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7/23/2005
12:03:51
| RE: V6-trashed... V8 good???
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It can be, and has been done many times. Depends on what you consider an enormous amount of money.
http://www.engine-swaps.com/
$400 for the crossmember kit....it's a bolt-in, not difficult. This will allow the LA (pre-Magnum) blocks to bolt in. Use a Magnum V8 block, and you can use your stock mounts. (You won't need the crossmember kit)
The tranny bolt pattern is identical. The V6 torque converter and flexplate will work with all 318's and 340's (but you'd get better performance with a higher stall aftermarket unit). Naturally, if you use an LA 360, use the correct converter weight, also for the 360 Magnum, though the weight is a bit less than the 360LA.
You're in luck having a '95 model. It's the final year for the OBDI computer, whick means the tranny is still using hydraulic valve body control. Much easier to do the carb deal. Slap your choice of 4V intakes on, and whatever 4V carb you want, hook up the throttle and kickdown, and let her rip. The tranny with your 6-gun is the smaller one (based on the 904), and should be treated to a high-quality overhaul with the good clutches, a TransGo shift kit, and external tranny fluid cooler. Or, swap in the larger (727-based) 518....make sure you get the TransGo kit regardless.
To get an idea of what's available for the trannys these days, check this site out, though there are several others....
http://www.transmissioncenter.net/dodge.htm
Not sure if the speedo will work. If not, you'll want to use an electronic signal converter to run your speedometer. It plugs into your tranny sensor and sends the correct info to the speedo. See TCI's website, also Abbott.
The Mopar Performance electronic ignition kit will slip right in. It includes instructions on how and what wires to splice (only 2 or 3 wires, depending on what it's being installed in) to bypass the ASD which lets the computer to continue to run the regulator, AC, fuel pump, etc. You will need to regulate the fuel pressure. Unless you're good at plumbing a return line to the tank, probably best to run an external pump for carb use.
You'll definitely want some sort of Sure Grip in the rear. One-wheelin' with rear torque, well, you know.
On shoehorning, it's not that tight. You'll even have enough room to run a conventional belt-driven radiator fan if you so choose. All-in-all, not a bad swap. Have fun.
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Texson
Dodge Dakota
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7/23/2005
14:13:18
| RE: V6-trashed... V8 good???
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Great info!!
Been trying to decide whether to dump it or try to do something different with it. Hate to get rid of it... the body is in perfect shape. I'll check into your references. Many thanks.
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STS
Dodge Dakota
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7/23/2005
15:21:20
| RE: V6-trashed... V8 good???
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What type of tranny you got? 42RE?
I would go with a A-518.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2005
00:21:15
| RE: V6-trashed... V8 good???
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The RE didn't arrive til 1996 with OBDII controls. It is most likely the 42RH. Again, the 42RH is plenty strong enough with a good rebuild, but naturally, the A518 or 46RH as it was later known as, is based on the larger 727, so there's an additional measure of strength before aftermarket beefing is required.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2005
00:29:24
| RE: V6-trashed... V8 good???
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It sounds like it's definitely worthy of a heart transplant. It'll be better than ever....We have the technology. We can make it better...stronger....faster.......um, ahem. Went off on a tangent there. Well, at least it won't cost you six million dollars.
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