I went out and got a dodge truck. I have worked on my sons its a 5.2, I have got a slightly used 1995 full bed 4x4 it says its a 5.9 but it looks dead on like my sons, is there any way to tell the difference, shouldn't there be a plate or something on the block so I can tell if this is the original engine? it's obvious that the tranny is not the original.

 

I've got no idea how to tell them apart by just looking at them in an engine bay.

But I'd like to know...

 

From the top, the 5.2 and 5.9 look the same.

The 5.9 has a vin code of Z. I don't remember what the 5.2 has.

But the 5.2 is internally balanced, so it won't have a harmonic balancer on the crank.

 

It will still have the balancer. (actually, its a Harmonic dampener.....)

According to theory, above the starter motor, should be a string of numbers.... in the middle will be either 318, or 360.

 

From FSM -

Number stamped on block.....

The engine serial number is stamped into a machined pad located on the left, front corner of the cylinder block. When component part replacement is necessary, use the engine type and serial number for reference.

X M AAA YYY 0000


X=Year

M=Plant

AAA= Engine Displacement

YYY=Month/Day

0000=Engine Serial Number

 

It used to be so easy for the old ones lol 360s generally had a 4bbl carb and 318s had a 2bbl. Not sure if I seen any 360 markings on my sisters block when I redid her motor.

 

5.9 will have a notch taken out of the harmonic dampner, whereas the 5.2 will be even all the way around. Dead giveaway evertime.