Hey guys i just sold my 95 2wd dakota (3.9) in November and felt naked without a truck... so i bought a 98 4x4 with the 318 and a man trans. i felt like i was getting a good deal at $1800 but i knew it needed work. the intake gasket was bad and it was blowing oil. i decided to drive it for a while before fixing it because i didn't wanna put earings on a dead pig then after one week i noticed that the rear main is leaking which it wasn't when i bought it, next i noticed the timing chain cover gasket sprung a leak

now that the story is over i am wondering what your opinions are i am a mechanic's son and have the resources to fix everything myself but balancing my costs i am thinking two things. 1) 360 or 2) half *** together and sell to buy a better condition 4 door with 4.7

Please voice yours opinions!

 

Don't **** anyone over and try to resell it without telling them the work it will need.

Don't get a 4 door if you don't need it.

With that said, If you can do the work yourself and cheap, do it. If you don't want to sell it for as much as you can, and buy another one.

 

i am not the person to screw anyone over but i am in a much better position to sell the truck than the PO so i could sell it for more than i paid especially if i fix most things wrong....

 

I say fix it. a 318 is easy to work on, or if you want put a 360 in it. Either way I would stick with it. A 5 speed 318 would be a lot more fun then an automatic Quad cab 4.7.

 

I have been reading up on the engine swaps everyone else has been doing what can i get a 360 from that will work... full size pick-up years? jeeps (i think some had a 360)? just calling to local junk yards to start balancing my costs...

 

What makes it more fun? (just wondering)

 

More torque, less weight, and driving a manual isn't just more fun but more pratical...

Also I like working on the 5.2/5.9 engines more then a 3.7/4.7. Don't get me wrong I love my 4.7, but I would love to have more bottom end torque like the 318 has.

Not saying they are more efficient or reliable, just more fun to drive around. IMO.

 

Oh, gotcha.

 

I don't know, I like the old school motor in terms of its torque and ease to work on compared to a lot of new engines these days. Also, I hate automatics. There is nothing good about them. So when you match the two, you have a fun truck. Especially if its 4wd.

 

anyone know what i can get a 360 out of and use in my truck? just calculating prices now... found a full size auto truck that i can get for about 750...