As the title says, I just bought a 2001 2500 360, but its 2wd and automatic, with no reverse. I bought it for parts though. I want to put the engine in my 97 RCSB 1500 with a 318 and nv3500. I think being that i have both motors and trucks, I should be able to make it work, but i wanted to check on here first to see if im getting in over my head. I am planning on using the wiring harness for the 360, pcm for the 360, and basically hoping it all plugs and plays. I think i need the gauge cluster out of the 01 to read the signals from the pcm. But the 360 was an automatic and the 318 is a manual. Will this work? All the sensors under the truck? And I plan on hopefully getting a nv4500 sometime in the future to put behind the 360

 

And i kept seeing things about a flywheel, will i have to worry about that?

 

A lot changed from 97-98... The entire cluster is a different shape, and I don't think it will physically fit in your dash. Also, you would need the central timer module from the 01 to make the cluster work. (differences in how things communicate.) Pretty sure you could swap the entire dash though.....

An easier, but, probably not cheaper.... alternative, would be to get a tuner for your truck, to accommodate the additional cubes. Then, you would just use the sensors and such for the 97 model year. Probably swapping the intake over would be the easiest on that score, as the 98 and up versions don't have a provision for two coolant temp sensors, that the older trucks used. (one for PCM, one for gauge.)

You are going to need the correct flywheel for the 360, the 318 is internally balanced, (flywheel is neutral balance) 360 is external balance, and the flywheel plays a major role in that.

Mechanically though, the engine will drop right in, and bolt right up. Bear in mind though, that the NV3500 NEVER came from the factory behind a 360...... some folks have done this though, and it seemed to be ok. If you off-road, or do other 'heavy duty' things with your truck, the lighter trans may become a victim.