Yea i peruse craigs at least once a week for my state and still cant find anything except full vehicles that are more than 2k, and there are still only a few to choose from and have only found 1 thats not an OBDII.

Mileage now is somewhere in the ballpark of 8-11 city, 17 highway only on long trips like 3 hours or so, standard commute highway is more like 13-14. so my thought is a freshly rebuilt V8 will probably do better than what the boat anchor is pulling if i keep my foot out of it.

As much as i'd enjoy having the 5.9 its still a matter of finding one that hasnt been rammed into a tree and can actually be used around here..just not readily available.

As far as mileage Crazy your truck had the 318 to start out right? Curious if the mileage between the 2 is a pretty significant difference or about the same?

 

I would say same, that is why I'm always saying BS to those who claim great MPG on the 5.2.

 

I have a 318. I have around 128,000 miles on it (205,000 kilometers). If you fix the plenum gasket problem that some of them have, they are very reliable engines. In fact, the oil consumption hasn't changed since I've owned it. Still can go oil change to oil change (3000 + miles) without adding any oil.

That being said, fuel economy is not its strong suit. I get 12-13 around mpg in the city and 15-16 on the highway. I have talked to friends with the 5.9 and it is around the same. I don't think there is a significant difference between the two. You do not buy these trucks for fuel economy. However, if you are not doing a lot of driving, it may not be a concern.

If you are going to be towing and are worried about fuel economy, I suggest buying a Ram with a cummins diesel instead.

 

Not concerned about economy for towing as thats just not happening unless you have a diesel. I'm well aware of the Anvil engines durability i have tested that myself, so no question there.

Thanks for the input Crazy, found a yard that has all of the local claims for state farm for a few counties so going to try them when i get some more cash since i know they pull and catalog their stuff from older vehicles so the engines still run.

Although i am still curious, if i can get a full harness from a ram van would that work for my Dak? Or does it need to be from a Dak specifically? Cause im not too sure about finding a V8 harness out of anything else, and i have access to more than 7 complete harnesses from vans that are all magnum 8's. And is it possible to run an obdII motor off obdI ecu and harness? since that would give me another 10 vans to part out if its possible but not sure if i can block off sensors and so forth and the top end wouldnt be an issue since i can get the return system for mine off 4 different vans intake all the way up.

Also regarding the VIN numbers on vans and rams and whatnot, i know theres a link in the faq for a decoder, but what number digit should i look for to designate 5.2 or 5.9? As 1 of the 7 vans at the pull yard might actually be 5.9, and did the vin codes change through the model years as far as the number for which motor and so forth, would be very grateful for that info.

 

The only difference between OBD I & II engines is at some point they changed the plug connectors on the sensors. I'm running a '98 OBD II engine in my '94 OBD I truck. I just had to swap my intake (for the EGR), and some sensors from my '94 5.2 to the '98 5.9. Oh and the oil pan.

The 8th digit is the engine code. The 5.9 is a "Z".

A.J.

 

Ahhh Beautiful thanks AJ, as to the sensors which ones did you switch? And are the intakes any different between the 2 as far as flow or anything or are they identical?

 

All of them. As far as I can remember the hall effect in the distributor, oil pressure switch, crank position sensor, and everything on the throttle body had a different plug between '94 and '98.

There are three intakes '92-'95 w/EGR, '96-'98 w/o EGR and w/center divider, and '99-'03 w/o EGR and w/o center divider. As far as flow, I don't have any data on which if any flow better. I am in the process of doing the kegger mod on and EGR intake. I'm still debating on whether or not to eliminate as much of the center divider as possible or just leave it to support the internal EGR tube.

A.J.

 

ok so the 360 has 15 more HP big whup. not enuf to feel in seat of the pants
but every 360 I have ever had except 1, has been massively more thirsty than the 318s I have had. Not saying less dependable or anything like that but in a stock vs stock comparo, the 360 does not have enough over a 318, to "hold out" for one.

 

and yup to different plugs; not sure when they made the change(S) but I have had friends stop by for me to check out their vehicles and "Oh cool, I have one of those, fix ya up in a few minuts; install what I have layin around and it wont plug in!

and even auto to manual on same truck there are differences; 93 Dak clubcab, auto tranny vs manual tranny; crank sensor plug different and backup light switch different. I had to cut the NSS switch plug and solder a plug pirated from a JY 5 speed truck on for the backup lites and put an eyelet to ground on the neutral wire.
Likewise had to cut and solder the plug for the crank sensor on the factory harness side. I had a M/T crank sensor here at home I knew it was different from an A/T version but didnt know the plug was different as well....

 

15HP less big whup! And 40TQ less. Why would you want less?
And don't forget your comparing 2 different engine syles. Your use to the 360 LA's where a Lawn mower has more power those old beasts did. The 318's were worse. LOL heck the 318 weighs more than the 360 too.

By the way 2 of my friends has 80's Dodge truck and Ramcharger with 318's. As well as an old friend who had a Ramcharger with a 360. They did run good but not as strong as the Magnums and not even close to what the 5.9 Magnum can put out.


15 HP yes you will feel it, its not the slam you back in your seat but you will feel it. Its the 40lbs more torque you can feel it as it tries to pull the truck upwards from the torque.