Newbie question. Whats the difference with the Magnum engines? I have a 1996 3.9 liter with a "Magnum" air filter cover, but PO told me he found that one at salvage and wasn't sure if the engine on the truck is Magnum or not. But since I have a sticker I figure that's the most important part. Thanks

 

HAHAHAHA That's how I got mine too!
They started making the Magnum engine in 92.
https://www.allpar.com/threads/dodge...7-1996.229465/

 

Magnum has been used off and on for decades. The 440 Magnum in the late 60's and early 70's wasn't anything like your engine. There was also a car called the Dodge Magnum. On the engines, the Magnum series was introduced for the '92 model year, I think. It was a highly modified version of the LA engine that was descended from the A engine which was a change from the polyhead 270, which was a modification of the '53 241 Red Ram Hemi. It's a highly refined version of an OHV engine. Not many parts will interchange between it and the earlier engine. The second generation of Magnum engines is totally different. Those are an OHC engine with camshafts on the heads. Except for possibly some bolts, I don't think anything will interchange

You can use an air filter if it looks like yours from a 3.9, 5.2 or 5.9 engine. If the number ends with a 7, like 3.7 or 5.7, those are different engines. The earlier engines used a round air filter and the top looks like a pie pan. The newer ones, have a plastic bulge over the throttle body that has a large tube going to the passenger fender.