Hello I have a 1995 dodge Dakota 4x4 3.9l. The truck has a lot of miles and motor is not doing well. My buddy has a 1987 w150 he said I can the 318, 727 auto and np208 out of it. My question is, is it possible to make the swap. I know it’s not ideal but is it possible to do and how much modification to get it in there will be needed? Thank you for your time.

 

"Not Ideal" is an understatement. Trans mount likely won't be in the right place, good chance the driveshaft won't work either, neither of them....) The 87 is probably TBI, the 95 is MPFI, so the electronics won't work either. A harness swap might be doable.... but, that is going to be a LOT of work. I think you would be better off selling the engine/trans/t-case from the 87, and buying a drop-in motor for the dak.

 

Based on Hey You's reply, I'd steer clear of this swap.

 

1987 was the last year for carburetors. Figure on LOT's of welding, cutting and just general "making do". Ma Mopar cut warranty claims by 80% when F.I. was introduced in '88. I'd just look around for a decent used engine, freshen it up and then drop it in.

 

Some argue otherwise but I think FI was one of the better automotive advancements.

 

Yep, right behind electronic ignition. It was an option in 1972 on Chrysler products but standard in '73. Folks today don't know what it was like when you had to do a tune up of points, condenser and plugs every 6 months. Spring and Fall. GM was the easiest, Mopars with dual points were a challenge.

 

I remember those days well. Also rebuilding carbs seemingly continuously. Especially those Carter carbs.

 

Oh yeah. I remember those days...... I still have my tach/dwell meter in the toolbox. A timing light I haven't used on a car in years, though I HAVE used it on my older tractors. Of course, that was when I converted them to Electronic Ignition. Went from a tractor that was a bear to start, to 'bump the key and it's running'. one of the best mods I did on that old tractor.

 

The kids husband is in the SeeBee's. Great metal worker and pretty good mechanic. I was loaning him a piece of equipment to fix his mothers car when they were up here last. I pulled a dwell/tachometer out of the cabinet to get to a brake caliper behind it. He had never seen one before and asked me what it was for. Evidently, they don't teach about them in shop class anymore.

 

Well, considering the last car/truck with a points ignition system rolled off the assembly line something to the tune of 50 years ago...... Quite likely the TEACHERS haven't had an opportunity to use one either.