Hello all. I'm about to start another step in the making of my play truck. I am driving a 97 Ram Sport that is currently powered by the 318. I have decided to swap it with a 360 and am looking for any ideas or insights. I am doing basic things to the motor before installing it, such as replacing water pump, t-stat, rad hoses, timing cover gasket, and putting in a new double roller timing chain. Reason is, the 360 motor does have 148,000 miles on it but it is replacing my stock 318 with 217,000 miles. I figure a little cheap insurance is always a good idea.

My question is, is there anything else anyone would recommend I do while putting the 5.9L in? And is there anything I need to look out for? I appreciate any and all ideas and possible words of wisdom anyone has! Thanks!

 

Fix the blown plenum before it goes in! Also, I believe the 360 is externally balanced while the 318 is internally balanced, so that will have to be addressed. I know others will chime in on what the entire swap entails.

 

What do you mean by the blown plenum?? And I believe you are correct with the balancing. However I am not too concerned with that because I am doing an entire driveline swap with engine, trans, and transfer case. The donor truck has a Chrysler Reman Trans. with less than 25,000 miles on it and mine is starting to slip anyway.

 

Replace the oil pump and the main/rod bearings. Also check the freeze plugs at the back of the motor. There are 2 freeze plugs.

 

i would keep the 318. rebuild it completely, and while your in there do the plenum gasket upgrade and roller rockers and a bored out TB. and BAM! more power than a stock 360 and you don't have to jump through any programming hoops or external and internal hoops also to as well

 

i agree and if u have the money u could turn it into a 390

 

If going thru the pain and expense of a complete rebuild, why NOT rebuild the 360? Given the extra cubes, the mods are going to give a better return on the larger motor....... and the price difference is either non-existent, or negligible.

 

yea but its sometimes hard to find a 360 because of obama cash for chucker program

 

That must be a geographical thing, as 360's here are a dime a dozen. It is hard to find a dodge truck that DOESN'T have a 360 in it..... unless it has a diesel.

Yeah, cash for clunkers didn't do the used truck market any favors.

 

in nc all the junkyards want from 750 to 1000 for a used 360