Our 1995 Dodge Ram van B3500 Magnum V8 5.2L 318 (?) maxi Coachmen has a busted water pump, radiator, timing chain, alternator, idler arm pulley and power steering pump. As we were looking up parts information, they needed the engine number, which is the same as the last 6 numbers of the VIN number.

Some of the parts don't match up! It appears this engine was replaced before we bought the van. Maybe with a truck engine? Since some of the parts aren't matching up to the engine, how can we tell if the engine is a 318, 360 or something else. It WAS 110,000 miles!

Any help would be greatly appreciated, since this is our only vehicle for this husband and wife team. We're doing our own work and just ordered a used 1995 Dodge Ram Van & Wagon Repair Shop Manual from Faxon.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

This is a gas engine

 

Look below the driver's side head, behind the exhaust manifold. There was a time when the engine size was stamped into the block.

 

Oh and if they doesn't pan out, remove the inspection cover from the flywheel housing (at the rear of the oil pan.) Slowly rotate the engine with a ratchet and socket on the front pulley while watching the torque converter as it turns through the inspection plate opening. A 360(5.9L) will have a counterweight on one side of the TC and the 318 (5.2L) will not. The reason for this is the 5.2L is an internally balanced engine and the 5.9L is not.

 

Sounds good to me. We'll give it a try. Getting late and going to rain next two days. Hope to get to it soon. Thanks

 

My parts catalog shows identical part numbers for water pumps on 5.2L (318) and 5.9L (360) Dodge Magnum engines in Ram vans from 1995 - 1999 . What parts are not matching your application?

 

I'll have to get back to you on that cause husband is very sick with his diabetes tonight. I'll let him know. Appreciate quick replies. This is a terrific site!