Update: Hey guys, hope everyone is doing well. Been an interesting couple of days. I found the "real owner" of the truck I bought. In Mississippi. Apparently his son has been misleading him about the truck but is going to send me the title.

In other news: I bought a 2003 4.7 engine with 130k on the clock. Out of a Ram truck. Heads were done 2000 miles ago, on an engine stand for $120. The guy lives 1.2 miles from me.

All together now 1-2-3 SCORE!!

 

Those are some damn good wins you've accomplished. That engine and the truck for that matter, is a giveaway. You'll have parts galore too, with the old engine.

 

Oh wow..... Don't think you could find one a bit closer/cheaper??

 

I fell into this whole project... Blessed

 

Umm, what year is the Dakota again? 2000?

You may have a tone ring problem. How many plugs on the Ram's PCM? If 3, you should be OK. If 4, nope.
3 plugs = JTEC 16 tooth. 4 plugs = NGC 32 tooth.

 

yes it is a 2000 but unless I am seriously mistaken the required components can be changed out from my old engine into the new one.

 

Tone ring is on the crankshaft.... and not precisely easy to change. No clue if you can even change it.

 

Yep, IIRC the tone ring is attached just forward of the rear main seal. Assume it's pressed on. So you'll have to pull the crank and swap them over.

But for $120, I think you can spend a couple hundred on new rod and main bearings and small parts.

 

apparently you can... I intend to "freshen" the engine up a bit so it comes down to a little more work is all... Going to send the heads to the shop have them pressure checked and looked over real good, then go from there. I have a few ideas I'm contemplating. Have a good evening everyone.

 

Yes you can change the tone ring. There sre two. One on the crankshaft, you'll have to pull it to replace, and another on the cam.