Just bought 2002 slt 4x4 extended cab dakota...paid $300 for great!! The Nad news it's 4.7 dropped 5 of 16 valve seats..my question is is it possible to rebuild this motor? If not what would be a good replacement ? I have read a few of the blogs about dropping in a 5.7 hemi and I am mechanically inclined so the idea doesn't scare me..but wonder if the 4.7 can be made to perform with say a turbo or two and building the engine...I also play with a roots type supercharger idea..I understand a hemi would make more power but how much could the trans take ( had real bad luck with dodge transmissions in the past ...so don't want to go crazy with the hp...is there a best year for the 4.7 if so what would work easiest without a bunch of wiring and computer stuff ( good with mechanicals not so much with comuters...any advice is appreciated..thks matthew

 

your options may or may not be limited by tone ring issues.

If you are lucky, you can re-head the motor you have and hope nothing else is hurt.

 

Tone ring??

 

Also are there any other known issues to watch out for with this year dakota?

 

all years of dakota have known issues. Most of us put up with them. A majority of them are between the front bumper and back of the cab.

It sounds like you need to do some research on the 4.7 . You might learn there's a reason that chrysler revised the design several times before ending production in 2013.

 

That's one of the things I am trying to do here...is this the wrong forum for a what works in this year of truck?

 

Reading between the lines I believe the answer to your question is that the engine wasn't exactly a gem and smart money would be on another motor completely. As for if the tranny will take any boost in power, the related topic would be to ask how many miles are on it? 40K would mean a completely different response than 240K. You have a $300 truck that might be better served by a reporter from a junk yard and that's all.

Just sayin'