Ok,as a result of a blown head gasket I took the head off the 1996 Caravan 2.4 and found that just a little water had leaked into the #2&3 cylinders.Being that the vehicle sat so long there is significant pitting in the cylinder walls,so i'm looking at a rebuild,a salvage engine,or dropping in the 2.4 I have in a 2000 Caravan.

Talked to the salvage yard guy who checked his data base and it did not show interchangeability,although the head is the same,but I read an article here:

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Cont...0000002282.pdf

which,as I understand it,says the short block and crank are the same and should be interchangeable..?

Searching the web I cannot get a definitive answer so am posting here to see if you guys have a solid answer.

It would sure save me alot of time and money if I could use that 2000 motor..

Also,concerning the head gasket problem.Did this effect the 2000 engine also?

Thanks
John
Lake City,FL

 

The anwser to your question is NO. They are not interchangeable. The 1996 and 1997 are the same, but not 1998 thru 2000. The mopar reman long block for 1996 and 1997 R0424867AA and that comes complete with a cylinder head already on the motor. 1998 thru 2000 mopar reman long block R0424880AA. But if you need a short block the reman number is 4897824AA which is also a mopar number.

 

mastertech,thanks for that.
Did a compression test on the 2000 and found it was way down so wasn't a good candidate for transplant even if it was compatible.

Yesterday I picked up a 1997 engine out of a 97 Sebring and it looks like a real gem.$650.Have to do alot a parts swapping to make it work,but am looking forward to completing the project!