I have a 97 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2 automatic 46re. The engine needs replaced so I went to the junk yard and bought a 5.2 out of a 97 Dakota with a 5 speed. Will my flex plate bolt up to the Dakota motor? Also I noticed a differance in the oil pan should I change out the oil pan and pickup? It appears the Ram oil pan allows more room to get the dust cover bolts out.

 

Yes, the flex plate will bolt on just fine. I would also swap the oil pan and purchase a new pickup. Before you install the used motor, I would also install a new double roller chain set, water pump, thermostat, freeze plugs, plenum gasket and distributor cap+rotor.

 

AH BRASS frieze plugs!!!! and plug the air vent in the cap with JB-weld.

 

Thanks for the reply Atomic Dog I agree replacing the parts now is easier than later. I'm thinking oil pump and maybe pull a rod cap to see what it looks like. Well Im off to the parts store. Thanks again

 

I went through a 5.9 engine swap with my truck a couple of years ago and I used a '98 Dakota 5.9 as the donor motor. I also installed a high volume oil pump and new pickup, too. I pulled the heads and had a valve job and new valve seals installed. Doing the plenum gasket and aluminum plate now will save you from having to do it later. I also used brass deep cup freeze plugs - all engine block plugs are 1-5/8" and the 4 cylinder heads plugs are 1-1/4".

 

Isn't there a smaller one on the back of the block as well?

 

As I recall, all of the freeze plugs on the back (and front) of the block are 1-5/8". Not sure what the size of the cam plug is, as I rarely touch them.