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Brett
Dodge Dakota
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11/14/2006
08:43:44

Subject: V-8 Conversion
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I have an 1987 Dakota longbed with the 3.9 v6. I recently purchased a 318 block and 360 heads to put in the dakota after having the block bored .030 or.050 over. I'm going to put headers on also. What kind of cutting or adjustments have to be made under the hood and also, I was thinking of putting a 727 as the transmission for it. I plan on making it a hauling truck. Heavier springs and possibly making it a daully. Any suggestions?



gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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11/14/2006
19:39:58

RE: V-8 Conversion
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Yeah. Get a full-size truck.
All the power, heavy springs and tires you can put on it will not make it as good a tow vehicle as even a base model full-size truck. The Dakota is hefty, but not hefty enough. You need weight.
Aside from that, the 318 will fit. If it's a Magnum block, it'll bolt in just like the V6 is now. With a pre-Magnum, you'll need to bolt or weld in a crossmember to attach the engine mounts to. Use the mount pads and insulators from the D150. The V6 radiator will work, but consider a bigger one for a work truck. The 360 heads will kill your low and midrange power without cam and intake changes, and you need to mill the heads to restore compression. Published CR is 8.4 with the 360 heads on a 318, but off the production line, it's closer to 8:1 or slightly less. Keep the overbore to .030". The tranny location is the same, the extra engine extends forward which will require an electric fan in front of the radiator as there's no room for an engine-driven fan with the V8 and the flat-nose Dakota. Your driveshaft won't fit...guessing you have the smaller tranny. The 727 is longer.



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