Engine Swap

[Dodgefran]

I've found that I am in need of another engine.  I"ve been thinking of a more modern engine so I can make this a daily driver with automatic trans.  Has anyone got info on wheather or not a slant six would fit into my 38 Dodge Bros RC.  Does anyone have the measurements?  Thanks in advance.

 

[kencombs]

I considered that but decided to keep the flathead until I find an affordable hemi or early 318.   But in considering I came to the conclusion that a V6, say from a Dakota, with its transmission would fit better than most alternatives.   Flatheads are short, thus so is the engine compartment.

 

I bought a new '87 Dakota and was more than satisfied with the power in a light truck.

[Merle Coggins]

I did see one truck with a /6, so to answer your questions, yes it's possible. However, I believe the /6 is considerably longer than your flathead so there'll be some modifications needed to make it fit. I wish I would have looked closer to that one that I saw to see what they had to do to make it fit. 

[Los_Control]

My thoughts on the /6 .... they are a great engine, they are getting harder to find today also.

I originally thought about a /6 because I have had several 60's Dodge trucks with the /6 and love them .... I settled on it would be a poor choice.

 

I think a 3.9 V6 from a Dakota would be a great swap. They have plenty of power and even a Magnum version that produces more HP.

I have a older Caravan with the 3.3 FWD, newer came with a 3.8 which is a stroked 3.3. The Dakota RWD trucks have the 3.9

All these Dodge V6's are known to go 300K + miles with basic maintenance.

Will require extra wiring with the computer .... should be pretty simple if you have the engine/trans wiring harness and computer from the donor vehicle.

 

While my original 218 is in good condition, I did pickup a 1970 318 for future use.

The 360 is basically the same block and the newer replacement for the 318, should be plenty of them around and make a good choice.

318/360 has been done thousands of times and work well .... just a better choice then a /6 IMHO

 

All deals are off if you already have the motor/transmission then go ahead and use what you have.

 

 

[Dodgefran]

Thank you for your information.  I am at a stage of build where I can look at V6's, which sounds a bit better.  I'm not one who is knowledgeable about wiring.  The truck is at the stage where I can move eather way.  Thank you all for your info,  if you have any more ideas please let me know.

[Tooljunkie]

Did a 360/727 in my 51. Lots of work. Would i do it again? Likely not. If i swapped out the front end for a lebaron k member and front suspension. Or a small block chevy to avoid the steering box issue. 
3.9 would allow you to move engine forward, but i wonder what oil pan would work. 
i cut/modified my pan in order to clear axle and steering, to maintain the flat floor. Cutting floor and firewall is common for lots of engine swaps. 

[QEC]

Your 38 has a narrow front end so the engine fitment issues will be what clears the hood sides. An inline is likely a better choice. I'd look at the AMC 258 or later Jeep 4.2/4.0  Plenty of the Jeeps around, not so much the 258. You could also look at something like the Taurus SHO v-6. It is a fairly compact Yamaha design but, again, not plentiful these days. Maybe stroll through your local Pick-n-pull and see what your tape measure has to say about the affair.

[Plymouthy Adams]

harder to get more narrow than a 1941 WC with Burma Rd. fenders but....440 went in with no trouble

[Los_Control]

Also while engines vary in size and shape ..... the stock flat 6 is not terribly smaller then the rest ....  The oil pan sits a good 5" above the straight axle on a 1949.

The oil pan really should not matter if it is front or rear sump .... really does not come into play if installed above like original is.

 

What little research I have done about installing a 318, you want to offset it 1" to the passenger side just to get clearance from the steering box.

Again a non issue.

 

What bothers me on installing a newer 3.9 or even the jeep 4.0 is a great engine and plentiful in the bone yards is wiring them up. I'm clueless on wiring.

A manual T-5 would be simple, a electronic controlled 4spd automatic is actually pretty simple if you have the components and the wiring harness .... but there are 2 or 3 small 22gage wires that go in the cab and have no idea what you do with those.

 

Same with the pcm, use the factory engine harness and pcm dead simple .... those silly little stupid wires show up to pee in your cheerios.

 

[48Dodger]

I have 1950 Dodge with a 408 ci engine with front and rear independent suspension. I built it for racing at Bonneville. I went 150 mph.

 

I have a 37 humpback that I'm working with now, i'll keep the original suspension. The engine will be a dual carb L6 with a T5 transmission. The rear axle will be updated as well.

 

I want it for a parade runner and not a race car. The L6 will rebuild nicely with a newer transmission.

 

Don't be afraid of either. Just know what you building it for.

 

48D

 

 

[Mikec4193]

I was asking about this same thing a couple days back on one of the truck Facebook pages and I asked and a couple of folks talked about the older 6 cylinder Ford motors...when I was a kid it was called a "300" engine...I am not sure what they call them now...these were found in a lot of Ford trucks back in the day.

 

They also talked about swapping a 258-6 cylinder Jeep motor into these chassis' this was on Dodge Pilothouse page...I see yours is a little older than those trucks.

 

Good luck with your search and keep us in the loop

 

MikeC

Edited November 3 by Mikec4193
spelling

[QEC]

On 11/1/2024 at 10:30 AM, Plymouthy Adams said:

harder to get more narrow than a 1941 WC with Burma Rd. fenders but....440 went in with no trouble

Photos, we need photos....now!!!🤔

Seriously, I'd like to see the project. 

[Old CWO]

Ford 300/4.9L L6 is an interesting suggestion.  They are well known for their longevity and make very respectable torque, enhanced greatly with some decent compression and a larger carb.  Unlike the Jeep L6 engines, Ford's big six has the intake/exhaust on the passenger side same as the Dodge flat six.  They also use the Ford Windsor bellhousing pattern so oodles of transmission options. Ford used them in trucks and vans from the mid-60s through the 90s so still easy to find. It is however, a long engine.  I think it's something like 30" long.

 

If the length will work, a good 300 with an AOD trans and deepish rear gears would make a dandy DD with real decent fuel economy potential.  Pretty sure if I had a vintage F1 or F100 that's what I would be looking at for drivetrain.