I have a 1995 Dodge Dakota 4x4 5.2L V8 with about 250K miles. I'm looking to swap my engine out for something with lower miles, in better condition. I'm not quite sure which model years are compatible. I found a used 2001 Dodge Magnum 318 for sale, but I'm not sure if that would fit in my 1995.

Any help, advice, and/or suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Brand new to the forum, just trying to navigate my way around.

 

The intake down is the same. Just use your fuel system and wiring.

 

May need to swap the oil pan??

 

Possibly oil pan; if oil pan, then pickup tube.

To What_Why - Do a visual of both of them; if in doubt, measure carefully.

Use your current intake and exhaust manifold and the current injectors from your 1995; that makes sure it all plays nice with the ECU.

I'd go for a new oil pump and pickup while I was swapping, but that's me.

I'd also consider a new timing chain set; easier to seal it all up while the pan's off.

And while it's that far down - bypass hose and water pump.

RwP

 

run existing one til it dies.

 

It's a fairly easy swap. You will need to swap manifolds, oil pan and pickup if one is 4X4 and the other isn't for sure. Before you swap the newer one in, like others have said, new oil pump (high volume, NOT high pressure), new timing set and I like to check the expansion plugs to see if any are soft. If they are, all new expansion plugs. (They are called freeze plugs but are actually expansion plugs).

 

While amassing parts & formulating a 'battle plan' may I suggest that you scroll down to the bottom of this page until you see a box with the heading Forum Jump. Click on the arrow to open the box, scroll UP to you see a sub-forum titled 2nd Gen Ram Tech. Highlight this then click on the GO to get to that sub-forum.
When that page opens scroll DOWN until you see a Sticky Threads selection containing 4 choices. The very 1st choice is titled End-all Be-all plenum thread.

See the Views at the end of each selection? That thread has MORE views than ALL the other threads combined. I think that would show the importance of that threads valuable information. May I suggest that you read & heed. You don't need to spend big $$ on this repair, just read ALL that thread in order to do it right without a great deal of expense. Good Luck.

 

I agree with above posts, if theres no issues run it. The 5.2 is a rock solid motor. In my opinion it runs in rank with a Cummins for reliability and durability. Plenum easy fix, heads maybe a so so issue, keep it cool and oil changed itll run forever. Never use miles to determine wear quality of a motor. I'd start with running a compression test on your current motor or both motors and see what difference you really have. My 98 has 230k + and im throwing some performance parts at it, and nothing that's related to the bottom end either.