I am working on a set of motor swap mounts to put the pre 1992 LA blocks(273 318 340 360) into the first generation Dakotas.I know that there are already several people selling the conversion mounts but I also know that the prices on these mounts are pretty high so I am looking to develope a swap mount and other parts(like oil pans and exhaust components that wont break the bank.I have been involved in Mopars for 35+ years and have been doing engine swaps since the 70's and since I never had any money I always looked for the most economical method to put my cars together.I know the chevy guys can go anywhere and buy v8 mounts for an s-10 for under $200 and I dont see any reason why us mopar guys should have to spend $395 to put a small block in our Dakotas when most of the parts are interchangeable right out of the junkyards.If anyone would be interested in purchasing some of these mounts please reply to this thread or e-mail me at chuckied@labsco.com and let me know.I have built the first set and am currently installing a 360 into my 89 shortbed Dakota with a 5 speed.Since I am particularly rough on equipment I should have some idea how durable my mounts are pretty soon.I've been telling people for several years that the Dakota is the Duster of the new millineum(cheap,available,easy to swap motors) so I look forward to hearing from you.

 

thats a great idea, i have been wanting to get and older one and throw and la motor in it.

 

Wow,As many people as there are asking questions about swapping out their 4 cylinder and V6 for a V8,I would have expected to get a lot more replies to this thread.I guess you never know.

 

Sorry, I already paid out the butt for the mounts years ago when I did the swap.. hehe.





Good luck.

 

I wish I would have found this out before I made mine. I took me some time to get everything to clear. I used a 360 block out of a 78 truck with the stock oil pan and a set of Hooker Headers (HOK-5803HKR) that I had bought from summit. I took a while to get everything to clear. I also had to build my transmission cross member.