I have a 97 dakota extended cab 4x4. it had a 3.9 and i goit a 5.2 and trans from a 98 jeep grand cherokee. i went to drop it in and the starte is on the passengers side as where my 3.9 had it on the drivers. so when i went to drop in the motor the motor mount is in the way of the starter so i cant put the starter on. also the oil pan is sitting on the front axle. will this motor even work in my truck? i dont know what to do. do i need to get a different motor?

 

You can try getting a pan off a 5.2/5.9 out of a dakota. Try salvage yards and get one cheap.

 

yea i can get one for 35 bucks but dont want to buy it until i figure out the starter/motor mount problem

 

Well I know on my 5.2 in my 98 dak the starter is on the drivers side. So unless you cut the motor mount off and re weld Its not going to work.

 

do the magnum motors (doh, that's where you went wrong...it's not a magnum motor?) not have starter locations on both sides like the older chevy blocks did?