Long story short I'm new to the forum and just had a few questions so I'm going to get at it. Few years ago a buddy of mine passed away and he had an old la style 360 in his garage that I was given. The engine that I have in my 1996 Dakota is a 318. I have been flirting strongly with the idea of swapping an LA style 360 into my 1996 Dakota. Is that going to be a straight Bolt in when it comes to motor mounts? because I do know that the Magnum series engines had motor mounts in the middle of the block and the LA series only had them up towards the front which the Magnum engine did also. Also does anybody know if the old 727 style transmissions will go in without much modification into a Dodge Dakota? I want it pretty much to say 1970s under the hood and on the drive train when it comes down to carbureted and everything else but I like the aesthetic of my club cab two wheel drive 96 Dakota. Any or all info would be helpful when it comes down to swapping the engine and putting the transmission in place

 

I "get" wanting to swap to a simple design. I did somewhat the same thing on my 87 dakota.... I used a 2000 5.9, but I converted to an HEI ignition, with a Edelbrock intake, and a holley carb.
Some of the LA motors were cast with both mounts, (side, and front) If yours only has the front, I believe you will have to make mounts.
Some other things to consider on your 96.
1. I think your guages and speedometer require the computer to work........
2. The 360, stock is down on power, even compared to your 5.2 magnum LA is 175 hp and 285 tq. vs. Magnum 230 hp and 295 tq.
3. what will you use for accessories?
4. Do you want to keep AC?

FWIW the 5.9 magnums are pretty cheap to find anymore...... and its a pretty straight swap in your 96. I would go that way if it was me.

 

I do want to keep the AC and that's for sure I would like everything to still be in well working condition. If I swap the Magnum 360 I understand that they're externally balanced and that there are a few small differences but will that transmission that I have with the 318 be able to hold up to the 360? And how easy is it to put in the ecms in those trucks do you have to get them tuned at all or programmed or can you find a plug and play one?

 

Yes, the 5.9 is externally balanced, just get a 96 and up flexplate, it will have the weights for balance. (prior to 96, the weights were on the torque converter.)

Your truck *should* already have the 46RE in it, I think.... they came stock behind the 5.9 as well.

Computer should be a simple swap, no programming required. Or, you can have yours flashed to the correct programming for the larger displacement engine. (dealership only probably. still, might be cheaper than a PCM....)