As some of you already know, My engine decided to quit on me a couple of days ago. My friend has a 96' Magnum 360 with 18k miles that im going to buy from him and im wondering if the Block and rotating assembly is EXACTLY (stroke, bore etc) the same as my 02' 5.9? just want to double make sure that my performance parts (on my signature) will be compatible with the older block.
Another reason why im asking is because as i was shopping for complete engine rebuild gasket kits on Hughes engines, they had gasket sets for 93-96' 5.9 and 97-Newer' 5.9. Sooo whats the difference?

 

Yeah, should be fine with his as long as the internals are in good shape.

 

Is this donor engine still in a runner so you can do a leak down test and a compression test to check the engine out? Finding a '96 360 with only 18K miles is odd. You're talking a bit more than 1K miles a year.

Really, mileage doesn't matter if the engine checks out, but I would want more info on the engine and an ability to check it out before you go to the trouble of installing it.

 

Well ive seen the motor before up on the rack in his shop. I called him and asked if the motor even turned over. He tried it right there and then and he said that it easily did. The motor is of a 96 1500 that was wrecked months after purchasing it from the stealer.
I also heard that the older magnums came with flat top pistons? Would my friends 96 have flat top pistons?

 

I think it was the 318's that had flat tops, 360's were dished, except for, maybe.. the HO version. Not 100% on that.

 

Hmmm idk.. we'll see.. im gonna go pick up the mottor tomorrow. Hopefully it comes with flat-top pistons. It would be nice having a bit more compression