I just got a 87 Dodge Dakota 4X4 3.9L 5-speed, fun little truck to play around in the pasture. Im looking to swap for a V8, Ive been told that a 318 or 360 will bolt right in. I was wondering if I could fit a 408 Chrysler, what else should I change on it if I do?

 

Welcome to DF.
First of all anything can be swapped in, anything can fit. But if your talking about drop right in without modifications then your choices are limited.

Swapping from the LA 3.9 (which is what you have) to the LA 318 and 360 should be easy 1991-down, as what others told us.
Swapping from the LA 3.9 to the Magnum 5.2 and 5.9 1992-up will require the Magnum style brackets.

As for the 408 I'm not to sure on the mounting bolt holes, but if you can find out if the 318 and 360 can be swapped for the 408 easily then it should be fine. Best place to find out that question is the 1st Generation Ram section.

 

A 408 is a stroked 360, so yes, it will go right in like a 360. Now what you need to know if if its a stroked LA block or a magnum block.

 

LOL I wasn't even thinking of a stroked engine. I guess I was thinking of a stock size.

 

Since I have the same truck/question, will an LA 440 block also fit?

 

I started a 6 to 8 swap on a 87 4x4 the LA V6 has the same mounts as the magnums.

 

440's are not la motors, they are rb blocks. I honestly do not know much at all about big blocks. I know it has been done, but I don't know what needs to be done. I don't think its a bolt in deal, considering I know in my wagon with an LA it needs a different k frame for an RB.

 

Sorry I used the incorrect designation about the LA block. I was thinking about old school blocks and just transposed the designation. The reason for my question concerns the old "Lil Red Express" and the "Warlock" from the 70's. As I understand, The "Red/Black Express" came w/a 360 cu.in.(5.9L) while the "Warlock" was available w/440 cu. in. (7.2L). If they all had the same truck body, then both engine fit the engine compartment.While the engine compartment may have been designed for the 440 and the 360 had a lot of room, I don't know the physical dimensions of both engines. Therefore, my question can a 440 fit into the engine compartment designed for a 360. I know that's a wide open question based upon truck size but my question really is a bout the dimensions of the engines.

 

I think it was the Midnight Express that had a 440. And just because they put 360s and 440s in the car doesnt necessarily mean the mounts are the same. My uncle used to have a SuperBird and there was something he had to swap out in the engine bay, I am not sure what, so dont take this to the bank. But he had to change something so the 440 would fit when he took out the Hemi, or vice versa, I dont remember

 

on my 91 ram i had to build a motor mount extension plate to go from 3.9 to a LA 318. in trucks i think the motor mounts are a bit different than cars. with the right parts a 440 would go in but you need the correct oil pan/dipstick and motor mount brackets
http://bouchillonperformance.com/BPEtruckKit.asp