basically just have a few questions, after i get it all straightened out, i could write a how to up, but god knows how long itll take me to finish it.

Alright as the title states i have a 360 and a 727 and wanna put them into my 2 wheel drive 87 dak where a 3.9 currently resides. Is the cross member the same? will the motor mounts from another v8 truck work or will i have to fabricate something? Will I have to make a tailshaft mount for the 727? Will it need a shorter drive shaft? And what will i be able to do for headers?

Thanks guys.

 

a 360 in a 1st gen, well I do know the 87 dakota had no v8 option therefore I can safely say none of the existing mounts will work however there is a conversion kit available. I've seen one on ebay I think somewhere aroun $200 but it has been a while.I would really like to see pics after the conversion is done though

 

Hmm i knew that i think, but when did they start putting v8s in them? and since the 3.9 is essentially a 318 without 2 cyl. does it even matter?

 

I dont know if it will matter or not but it sounds like it will be ohe mean giddyup when it's done I'm pondering dropping a 318 in mine so you can imagine my interest

 

If you use a magnum V8 you can use factory mounts. The 727 mount I am not positive about but I do not think it would be hard to make something fit. Even with the long tail shaft on mopar tranys ,they made no two models the same length.904,727,500 and 518 all use a different driveshft length in the same car.

 

Well your truck did not come with a v-8 because it won’t fit. That is why dodge changed the front end in 1991. If you compare the two you will notice that the later Dakotas nose is not as flat so the fan will fit. Carol Shelby did put out some Dakotas with a v-8(one of which is mine)but they are ?297s? If I remember correctly and he used 2 pusher fans on the rad to pull this off. Hope this helps and sorry but I can’t help with the Trans issue.

 

Although now that I am sitting here pondering you could venture to your local auto recycling facility and get a front clip off of a 91+ Dakota and mount it up to have the best of both worlds. A 5lug bolt pattern that most wheel companies make wheels for and the space for a 318-360 magnum (if this is what engine you have, you never specified) with that combo any header for a magnum Dakota would fit.

 

My truck already has 5 lugs, i believe its the 4.5"X5 pattern, i know id have to run an electrical fan thats no big deal, hmm a front clip too? didnt imagine that, the whole idea started bc i got a 360 (LA) non magnum and a 727 for 150$ thats pretty healthy, not sure on the year. But since my truck is an 87 i dont have ta mess around with fuel infection, oops injection. (just kidding i like fuel injection but its a pain sometimes specially in motor swaps) hmm I guess i suck the motor out when it gets warmer and look to see if it fits or measure. I think i do remember seeing motor mounts for sale somewhere online, i researched it a couple years back and lost interest. What is the major difference from the 91 to the 87? is the cross member different? because that could be unbolted and replaced with a 91+ one. The trans issue im not too concerned about because making a tailshaft mount will be fairly easy. Well atleast its the beganing of winter and I have a long time to research before Ill actually begin. I have to rebuild the a604 outta my daytona and get that functional too before i can tear into this project, any more info would be amazing, thanks guys

This spring/summer if i get it all figured out ill definitely photo document it and write up a little how too or somethin.

 

older la motors will NOT WORK....they don't have the 3 mounting holes for the dakota style motor mounts....if you use a 360 use a premag 360 with the motor mounts...i mean you can use an LA motor but you better be prepared to make your own motor mounts..the 727 should work....i think the shelby dakota has puller fans because they are in front of the motor and behind the radiator....only problem i see with the 727 mount will be different.you can do it....just be prepared to make stuff....

 

Sounds good to me, gives me an excuse ta buy a mig welder, and stop borrowing my friends.