Ok i have an 89 dakota with a LOT of work done to it. All in sig. I am wanting to put a LA block 318 in it because the 3.9 is old and tired and has no performance. I am wondering what needs to be done to make it fit? I know they enlarged the front end of the trucks for when dodge put the v8 in but im thinking a slim electric fand and slim radiator will make it fit. is this correct? I also believe that the ax15 to 3.9 stock clutch will work? I also think the motor mounts will be the same? Anyways if you have some insight in doing this wap im all ears. this truck is offroad only so if im not worried about wiring it because im going to rewire everything for the engine and could care less if dash works at all. Going to run my own gauges.

thanks guys,
Josh

 

yeah clutch and all would fit 318 would bolt to the ax 15 many say it wont last but its there now so it wont hurt to run what you got for now

 

Should last a while. Can i get an upgraded clutch? The trans will hold the power fine just maybe not the clutch.

 

thye claim its the trans not being rated for the power they used smaller clutches with more powerful engines than that; if you really gotta then the V8s have a 1/2" larger clutch than the 6s in the Dakotas. 92 and newer youd be screwed as stock and have to find a V8 flywheel as the crank sensor on the 92 and newer engines (Magnum series engines) that reads off of notches on teh flywheel, nd a V8 wont run on a 6 notch FW.... but in 90 that was not yet the case and if youre gonna rewire it anyway it really becomes moot. the ring gear diameter and such is the same for both engines as is the bolt pattern around the bellhousing where it bolts to the engine

 

Well guess i got lucky on that. Lol. This is my first motor build and and first time swapping a different motor into something. But shouldnt be that bad. Lol gonna take it slow and do a lot of research.

 

Read up in the faq2 thread, good bit of info for swapping LA to LA, or LA to Magnum if thats what you choose or have available.

 

The Shelby Dakota in '89 had a very slim electric fan stuck between the AC condenser and the radiator because with the V-8 there is no room in the engine compartment. I didn't think it would be as tight as it is until I saw a Shelby Dakota up close.

A.J.

 

Oh man i forgot all bout the shelby v8 setup. And no ac so even better.

 

Here are some pics of the truck









And yes those are 37x12.50 super swamper tsl's

 

Winch is tucked nicely under the grill.