1st Gen Dakota Tech 1987 - 1996 Dodge Dakota Tech - The ultimate forum for technical help on the 1st Gen Dakota.

'93 Dakota V6 getting a '94 Dakota V8 engine - Build Thread

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #21  
Old 06-23-2018, 06:01 PM
tbugden's Avatar
tbugden
tbugden is offline
All Star
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 935
Received 20 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

I got it started ya'll! Plenty more to post but for now I just wanted to celebrate getting it started. I'm a little less than proud though because I forgot 1) fuel pump ground and 2) distributor connector and 3) friggen crossed spark plug wires! So in order... I was missing fuel and spark (no start), then just spark (no start), then just spark at the right time (BANG!!!). Fixed all that and it sounds nice, especially with open headers.
 
  #22  
Old 06-23-2018, 06:13 PM
RalphP's Avatar
RalphP
RalphP is offline
Champion
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Northwest Louisiana
Posts: 4,737
Received 368 Likes on 340 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by tbugden
I got it started ya'll! Plenty more to post but for now I just wanted to celebrate getting it started. I'm a little less than proud though because I forgot 1) fuel pump ground and 2) distributor connector and 3) friggen crossed spark plug wires! So in order... I was missing fuel and spark (no start), then just spark (no start), then just spark at the right time (BANG!!!). Fixed all that and it sounds nice, especially with open headers.
That's always a GREAT sound when it fires the first time!

RwP
 
  #23  
Old 06-23-2018, 07:55 PM
onemore94dak's Avatar
onemore94dak
onemore94dak is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,481
Received 132 Likes on 124 Posts
Default

Looks great. I'm one step closer to a V8 I got a shop crane cheap. I did not have a jack and its home made out of 3" tube steel. But it works I put a 3ton jack in it and added a hook to the loop on the end of the arm and got a load leveler for it. It looks intimidating having to remove all that body work. My goal eventually is a V8 for towing with the strongest automatic trans Chrysler makes.
 
  #24  
Old 06-24-2018, 09:09 AM
tbugden's Avatar
tbugden
tbugden is offline
All Star
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 935
Received 20 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by onemore94dak
Looks great. I'm one step closer to a V8 I got a shop crane cheap. I did not have a jack and its home made out of 3" tube steel. But it works I put a 3ton jack in it and added a hook to the loop on the end of the arm and got a load leveler for it. It looks intimidating having to remove all that body work. My goal eventually is a V8 for towing with the strongest automatic trans Chrysler makes.
The absolute worst thing about this work for me is that I don't have level pavement or a garage to do this work in. It becomes a VERY harrowing experience lifting and moving the motor.

You thinking about a 360 or a 318 swap?
 
  #25  
Old 06-24-2018, 10:16 AM
onemore94dak's Avatar
onemore94dak
onemore94dak is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,481
Received 132 Likes on 124 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by tbugden
You thinking about a 360 or a 318 swap?
I haven't put that much thought into it yet.
Pretty much all the motor work I have done is recorded on this site so sanely I want to find a motor and an auto trans that is good for pulling a load which I can drop in with minimal wiring. I have the 42RH right now. I know there is the two new cylinders to add to the injector wiring but that is about all I have thought about it right now as I post It will probably be a while before I get to it.
 

Last edited by onemore94dak; 06-24-2018 at 10:43 AM.
  #26  
Old 06-24-2018, 06:39 PM
tbugden's Avatar
tbugden
tbugden is offline
All Star
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 935
Received 20 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by onemore94dak
I haven't put that much thought into it yet.
Pretty much all the motor work I have done is recorded on this site so sanely I want to find a motor and an auto trans that is good for pulling a load which I can drop in with minimal wiring. I have the 42RH right now. I know there is the two new cylinders to add to the injector wiring but that is about all I have thought about it right now as I post It will probably be a while before I get to it.
Man this swap using a V8 auto harness going into a 5-speed V6 truck has wiring issues no more complicated than 7th grade science class. It's awesome. And a V6 auto to V8 auto swap would only be easier.

Proof that it starts.

 

Last edited by tbugden; 07-06-2018 at 03:40 PM.
  #27  
Old 06-24-2018, 07:05 PM
RalphP's Avatar
RalphP
RalphP is offline
Champion
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Northwest Louisiana
Posts: 4,737
Received 368 Likes on 340 Posts
Default

You're missing a drive belt there, hopefully you get it on before you head out on the road!!

RwP
 
  #28  
Old 06-24-2018, 07:15 PM
tbugden's Avatar
tbugden
tbugden is offline
All Star
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 935
Received 20 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by RalphP
You're missing a drive belt there, hopefully you get it on before you head out on the road!!

RwP
Who needs cooling, power steering and a battery that lasts more than 20 minutes?
 
  #29  
Old 06-26-2018, 10:34 PM
tbugden's Avatar
tbugden
tbugden is offline
All Star
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 935
Received 20 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

Hey ya'll. First post updated with summary of what you gotta do to accomplish this swap! Still got more pictures to add, I'll do that soon. If you have any requests, let me know. Took the truck for a drive today...I think I need exhaust manifold gaskets but otherwise the thing runs great!
 
  #30  
Old 06-27-2018, 06:01 AM
93 ragtop's Avatar
93 ragtop
93 ragtop is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Va
Posts: 1,781
Received 96 Likes on 83 Posts
Default

Glad to see its running!! I look forward to your other pictures.
 


Quick Reply: '93 Dakota V6 getting a '94 Dakota V8 engine - Build Thread



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:02 AM.