Swaping a 1985 360 C.i. LA with a tasty 1993 360 Magnum
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Joined: Sep 2007
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Swaping a 1985 360 C.i. LA with a tasty 1993 360 Magnum
I have a 1985 D250 with no engine and if it is possible without much sugery I would like to put a 1993 Magnum 360 in it as it has 230HP and 335 Ft-lbf`torque over the wimpy 170HP 270 ft-lbf stock 360 LA. I have heard you can just drop them right in and bolt them up but maby somebody here knows more than me and the guy at the junkyard 
. Both engines come from Gen 1 Dodges so it sounds like it could be true.
Thanking you in advance,
TemeculaDipsticks[sm=confused06.gif]
. Both engines come from Gen 1 Dodges so it sounds like it could be true.Thanking you in advance,
TemeculaDipsticks[sm=confused06.gif]
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Hamilton, Ontario
RE: Swaping a 1985 360 C.i. LA with a tasty 1993 360 Magnum
Bolting is no issue, getting it to work........
You're gonna need alot of stuff the the 93 has in it that the 85 didn't. All the wiring, computer, etc. etc.
You're gonna need alot of stuff the the 93 has in it that the 85 didn't. All the wiring, computer, etc. etc.
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
RE: Swaping a 1985 360 C.i. LA with a tasty 1993 360 Magnum
This is not a hard swap to do. I put a mildly built (worked stock rods/forged pistons/STOCK HEADS) Magnum 360 in my 85 Ramcharger. Since your truck was carbed in the first place you can just convert the Magnum motor to run a carb. The engine will bolt up no prob, even to the tranny.
Read this, this is my engine combo.
https://dodgeforum.com/m_846051/mpag.../tm.htm#851080
On top of all that you'll need some other things to make it work.
1.) Motor mounts from an LA 360
2.) All of the accessories from an LA 318 or 360, including timing chain cover and water pump(water pump in Magnum turns backwards)
3.) Distributor from an LA 318 or 360
One last thing. You should be prepared to find cracked heads in your Magnum motor(cracks in the peak between the intake and exhaust valve). They were very prone to it. My engine came from a 98 2500 Ram and only had 78k miles on it, and both heads were cracked. Good news is that remanufactured heads are cheap. I got both of mine for 350 with 12 mo/unlimited miles warranty. Or, you could just have them repaired.
Read this, this is my engine combo.
https://dodgeforum.com/m_846051/mpag.../tm.htm#851080
On top of all that you'll need some other things to make it work.
1.) Motor mounts from an LA 360
2.) All of the accessories from an LA 318 or 360, including timing chain cover and water pump(water pump in Magnum turns backwards)
3.) Distributor from an LA 318 or 360
One last thing. You should be prepared to find cracked heads in your Magnum motor(cracks in the peak between the intake and exhaust valve). They were very prone to it. My engine came from a 98 2500 Ram and only had 78k miles on it, and both heads were cracked. Good news is that remanufactured heads are cheap. I got both of mine for 350 with 12 mo/unlimited miles warranty. Or, you could just have them repaired.
