I’m getting a spare engine from my automotive teacher as she has no use for it but it’s from a 2nd gen dodge truck (magnum series) I was curious how I tell it apart the 5.9 and the 5.2? Some sort of casting number? Also now I have the 5.9 in my half ton and I was wondering if the engine goes out is the 5.2 directly swappable?

 

Should be casting numbers right on the side of the block, that will tell you what size it is.

And yes, 5.2 and 5.9 are pretty much the same engine, either will drop right in, hook right up, and run. Might need to re-tune for the difference in engine size, and also, the 360 is externally balanced, the 318 is not... so, make sure to use the correct flexplate/flywheel.

 

I found it and it just says a bunch of random numbers

 

Should be something like "5.9" (or 5.2) or "360" cast in there somewhere. Drivers side I do believe.

 

You can look up the casting # also.

http://www.magnumswap.com/dodge-magnum-engine-search/

 

Take the number you find on the side of the block and google it. That typically works for me to find the identification of a given part.