Hello from Alaska

Just picked up a super clean 91 2WD V6 shortbed auto w/ a 9 1/4 sure grip. I had every intention of turning this into my old truck (a 77 2WD shortbox OEM 440), but after looking at http://bouchillonperformance.com/ it looks like their 440 kit doesn't jive with 1988+ V6 trucks.

Any knowledge on what the difference is? If I'm totally hosed on the big block option maybe I'll just pitch in a hot small block, that is, if that's an option. Assuming it is since these trucks CAME with them it shouldn't be too tough to do that but I'm not so knowledgeable these rigs as they got closer to the 1994 style change. Are the 88-93 small blocks the same as the 273-360 always was, or are they in fact more like magnum motors? Thanks for the push in the right direction...

 

the v6 truck frames made between 88 and 91 are different than the v8 or slant 6 frames that where used before. you will not be able to bolt an older engine i without modification. now you might be able to bolt in a newer magnum engine but you will have to choose whether you want to keep fuel injection or swap to carb. i think you would have to look at the motor mounts brackets that bolt to the engine. i had seen pictures of motor mount brackets off a 91 v6 and the looked like a v8 magnum would bolt in but i am not sure.

 

LA V8's and Magnum V8's can be swapped without issues. Magnums have 2 sets of mounting bosses on them.

From what I remember (double check before committing to the swap): installing a LA or Magnum V8 in place of your V6 you will need the left side mounting plate from the engine cross-member from a 2wd truck. Alternately, you could just find the V8 engine cross-member from a junk yard truck and swap it into yours...

 

according to Bouchillon on the phone I'm hosed. No small blocks, LA's, OR big blocks based on frame/cross members differences. Claims it's possible and has been done but not without a bunch of cutting/chopping/welding/fab work. If you've got any reason to believe an LA/SB would fit I'd be really excited to hear about it.

Bought this super clean 2WD in hopes of building a really nice hot rod out of it but was pretty unexcited to learn of these limitations. Definitely not going to waste my time trying to squeeze steam out of a 3.9!

 

depending on your motor mount brackets you might be able to stick a 318 or 360 magnum in there. i have looked at my 93 ram charger and there is a motor mount extension on the drivers side so you might be able to find one. you could maybe check out 2003 and older dodge ram vans that have V8's. according to what i see on rock auto they use the same style of motor mount from about 79-03 on the ram vans but i am not sure. you would have to check it out on your own.

 

Already told you...you only need the V8 mounts....The very worst thing you would have to do is cut out rivets holding in the engine cross-member and replace it with a V8 model...there is nothing else different.

Examples of other times this has been asked:

http://ramchargercentral.com/vehicle...8-for-v6-swap/
http://www.*********.com/forums/showthread.php?t=256162

 

the big problem i find with the links you posted is that neither of them seem to have responded with any finished products and everyone makes it sound like it will just bolt in to what is there but it won't. when i took the v6 out of my 91 and stuck a v8 in there i had to get my brother-in-law to build me a motor mount extension plate out of some very heavy steel.

now i think i would be looking at your current metal mounts that bolt to the block. if there is 3 bolts in about a triangle shape patter bolting the motor mount to the side of the block then i am pretty sure you could stick a magnum v8 in there with not too much effort
see 3 hole in triangle shape around the frost plug.

 

From the sound if it you've already done this exact swap that I'm describing?

 

i also just got pictures of Sixgun's motor mount brakets. these are the ones i think might allow you to bolt a magnum engine in.

 

What is the part number on the 3.9 magnum v6 to d-100/ d150 engine brackets in the picture? These fit the magnum 3.9 v6 in the 2wd d100 truck- not the v8.
The v-8 takes different k frame bracket ( drivers side moving the mount forward), no bracket on the passenger side with the isolation mount on the frame. same rubber isolation mount for both v8 and v6.