Hi guys. I am new to the forum and I tried the search bar but I did not find the answer I want/need. My dad gave me his old Dodge truck. It's an 85 100 I think. It has a 225 slant 6cyl 4x4 4 speed. This truck means a lot to my dad since he bought it brand new and its it perfect shape. When he parked it, it had a cracked head this was back in 2000. This is my question can I replace the 225 with a 318, 360or 440 with the transmission it has on it now or does it need to be replaced? All I wanted for its for him to drive it again trouble free. So any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

unfortunately the only engine that will bolt to a slant 6 transmission is another slant 6. to stick any v8 in there you would also have to swap transmissions.

 

So another transmission will fit the 318 and 360? Do you know what transmission I need if I want to upgrade? What do you think of the 225? I know a lot o questions

 

ya. 318, 340 and 360's use the same bell housing bolt pattern. if you can find the right bell housing you could bolt a 318 to the standard trans but it might be a bit difficult to locate the right parts.

 

225's are GREAT motors. I am surprised to hear that one cracked a cylinger head. Usually they run endlessly. If you want the power of a V8 though, that is understandable. I would go with a 318 if I was you. Cheap, reliable (same reputation I was talking about with the slant six), and lots of torque. They do fairly decent on gas too. 360's don't make much more power than 318's do, but they seem to be more thirsty. And like Wolfie said, you will need to take the transmission with whatever motor you decide to swap in.

 

If you don't need the extra power the cheapest way to go might be to get a replacement head if you are sure that is the problem. I am with Wombat Ranger with my surprise. Are you sure it is not just a blown head gasket?

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/...d.php?t=200588

 

That's what he told me it was (cracked head). So I need to find a 318 with the transmission or just the bell housing that bolts to the motor? Not sure what I really want to do power wise. I know he really want to drive it so maybe I should just stick to fixing that little 225 and worry about the bigger motor later on

 

The slant six has one of the thickest decks on a head out there. They are not known to normally crack very easy.

 

If its the 4 speed manual (A833) then you would just need to get the bellhousing to match the engine you put it, and of course flywheel/clutch etc. Im currently swapping a 400 big block for the 225 that was in my 85 and it had the A833.