HEY DODGE FORUM(S) THIS IS CHAINSAWMIKE, SORRY FOR THE CAPS LOCK BUT IT HELPS ME SEE MY SPELLING AS I HAVE DOUBLE VISION FROM A MAJOR STROKE !!!
I HAVE A FIRST GENERATION (1987) DODGE DAKOTA 4X4
WITH THE 3.9 L V6...I WAS HALING SOME CEDAR LAST WEEK COMING HOME FROM ABOUT 30 MILES AWAY AND THE OL GIRL STARTED KNOCKI NG A LIL BIT , I BABIED HER HOME ....SO IVE BEEN LOOKING AROUND ABOUT POSSIBLE REBUILDERS BUT NOT A THING, ALSO THERE IS VERY FEW OF THOSE TRUCKS AROUND IN FACT IVE NEVER FOUND ONE LIKE MINE....I DID LOCATE A 93 WITH A 3.9 FOR $600 AND IT RUNS GREAT !! IM THINKING I CAN DRIVE IT FOR A WBILE WHILE I HAVE THE 87 RE BUILT, THE 93 IS A MAGNUM WHICH IS A LIL DIFFERENT (FUEL INJECTION,SERPENTINE BELT, ETC. ) WHATS MY BEST AND CHEAPEST OPTION HERE ?? CAN I TRANSFER MY OLD PARTS TO THE NEWER EN GINE ?? OR JUST DRIVE THE 93 WBILE REBUDINV THE 87 ? THE 87 I REALLY HAVE TO HAVE BEINS ITS 4X4 AND A SUPER NICE LOOKIN TRUCK .
ANY AND ALL SUGGESTIONS GREATLY APRECIATED....
THANKS,

CHAINSAWMIKE

 

Why isn't there any snow in that pic? (yes, I am jealous. )

Older intake won't bolt to the magnum V-6 without modification. And that's just one thing that I suspect would be an issue. Might be better off driving the 93, and rebuilding the 87. Or, just tossing a reman motor at it. I am sure Jasper likely has something, along with some other companies.

 

I'd drive the '93 while you do through the '87. I think 1987 is fairly unique as the 1988 had roller lifters when they went with fuel injection. Are you sure the engine is bad and it didn't just jump time? I've had engines jump time and then start knocking and WAY down on power. However, it was ignition knock and not bottom end knock.

 

Thank you administrator, and ol grump. . Yea i was actually buying the truck for the motor swap, until i saw it was a 3.9 magnum but for $600 ive gotta take it.....can you give me a good site for buying a reman. Engine ? I reckon jaspers is a co.
Also, my last dakota 99 four wheel drive with a v8 magnum 5.2 i believe ? I put 300,000 on it, alldirt road back woods timber falling miles and im sold on the dakota....last year we were hauling my wifes 33 ft. Fifthwheel trailer to a job i was
logging, and the f-350 we hired to tow it tje 50 miles broke down, so i backed up to it in my 99 dakota hookef up a chain and pulled the f-350towing the fifth wheel to the top of morgan summit on lassen and didnt even whimper or whine whatsoever, in four low of course.

 

Gearing is your friend. Everybody wants to go fast while towing, but 50-70 years ago, you had 4 and 6 cylinder flat head engines. They worked fine, but you just didn't get in a hurry. I had a '52 Power Wagon that pulled just fine. 30 was all it would run reliably. 35 it was complaining and at 40 you were about to throw a rod.




Jasper is an engine and other component rebuilding company based in Jasper Indiana. I go by it fairly often. You have to get the rebuild through a installer. They won't let you buy and install it yourself. I've tried. (I closed my shop nearly 40 years ago.) Finding a used engine like yours is going to be really difficult. It was pretty much one year only.

 

I searched crate motor 1987 dakota and there are several. I think ymmv I cannot recommend any as I have never used them Here's a JEGS page selling ATK reman.
https://www.jegs.com/i/ATK-Engines/059/DD40/10002/-1

 

This is my 1987 dodge dakota carborated

 

Holy smokes, that is in NICE shape. Where do you live that it isn't just a pile of rust?

 

That looks like someone took their time to restore it, sort of. I wonder how lang that alternator will last with the windings panted.