I have a 92 Dakota that had the Magnum V6 but that motor spun a baring and locked up so I got another 3.9L out of an old Dodge van how do I know if it is a Magnum or not???
Or if its not what parts do I take off my old one to swap over to make it one

 

Injectors above each cylinder (or lack of fuel injectors at the throttle body) is a sign of a Magnum motor. (Magnums will have fuel rails on both side of the intake manifold that the injectors connect to)

That's the easiest way I know to tell.

 

Also if you really wanted you may be able to use that engine as far as the block and internals. Just swap everything else over. You may loose some power because the older engines had less compression. And there was something about the magnums having an extra oil hole or something. But I would say look for a magnum engine.

For more info on it check out the FAQ2 for the V6 to V8 swap. Loads of info on the 2 different style engines. And www.allpar.com

 

so what all would I half to swap over froum the old one.... and plus you got to remember that motor locked up so that block is prob. no good right ?????

 

do the magums have the injectors in the intake manifold or the heads. know it sounds like a dumb question but i've never seen a magnum. that's a big deal when it comes to a swap, weather you have to change the heads or not.

 

Yes the magnums have Multi Port Fuel Injection (1 per cylinder). No magnums came with anything else from factory in trucks.

 

i know that the magums are multi-port for each cylinder, but i was just wondering weather the injectors are in the runners of the centerdome or are in the cylinder heads. i've seen both on different v-8s. if the injectors are in the runners of the centerdome (one for each runner, that's 8)) it's a lot easier swap. if they are in the heads then you have to swap the dome and the heads. (i know, still a stupid question, but i've never seen a magnum and how it is injected)
thanks big guy

 

As far as I know (off the top of my head) that there are no gas engines with the injectors in the head. They are all located on the outside of the intake manifold and just the tip is inside the intake manifold and just above the intake valves. Diesels have it located inside the head. Tons of pictures in all of our gallerys or just go to google.com and type in truck v8 magnum engine. Here is mine the red AA battery size thing is my fuel injector.

 

so pritty much what you all are saying is to swap over the hole top end from my old Magnum V6 to the new one V6

 

This is a bit OT, but injectors in the head are around and have been for a few years. Some manufacturers call it "Direct Injection". Here's a decent wiki.

Other than requiring advanced engine mgmt. software, the system is great! More power, better mileage and emissions.