I am currently swaping the 3.9 slug in my 98 Dak for a 340 carb engine.
for starters the timeing cover waterpump and accesery bracket swaped to older block. Had to make
spacer brackets for tention pully and PS pump. Used original motor mounts< both right hand side turned upside down> welded the bolt brackets from older block to new mounts nice fit. Engine sits alil higher so electric fan needed. All pullys, flywheel/clutch swaped, had to bore the pilot bearing hole a lil in crank for 3.9 pilot bearing to fit. Not sure what's gonna happen with the gauges yet, should have running this weekend.
All sensors for temp ect swaped to older block. Will have more input at progect progresses. Tru specs
on engine, started 318, block bored 30 over with 10/1 pistons, stroked crank n rods, heads cut for 202 intake/186 exhaust, using 360 4bbl cast iron intake atm, 340 street/strip cam.Engine on stand photo b4 i put on double row timeing set.
(My Question is ) Can i get headers on older block to fit my Dak, and where??


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Looks like a fun project but I hope you got the tranny to handle that. I don't think the stock will handle it very well. Though you could get it rebuilt to handle that much.

 

yeah bud, your going to want to replace the tranny while your at it, that engine is goning to tear apart that a500 aka 42re, plus the transmission needs to talk to the engine computer, and since your running that engine w/ a carb, not gonna work well, shove a 5 speed in her and have some fun

 

wouldnt any aftermarket dakota 318 headers fit on there?

 

I would just buy some designed for that engine with the boring and oversized piston you might as well invest in the larger headers for that extra flow and kick.

 

Let me clarify with the flywheel/clutch swaping from v6 to older block, my Dak has a 5 speed.
As for my header question, the older heads have a retangular exhaust port, don't the newer 5.2/5.9
exhaust ports kinda ovalish?

 

you are my hero

I think that truck will be sweet when she's done.

as for headers, either buy a cheap set and make em fit, or get some special made.

 

Excellent job ths far! I have a feeling that this thread will be visited for a long time to come. More pictures and a write-up would be great, as many people are looking to do a similar swap. Again, great job! Can't wait to see her in action!

 

that will be a beast, has anyone noticed the paintjob?... goes from yellow to orange to red

 

Cool!I've always wanted to build or even see one.