87 Dakota engine swap.

[Mopardude]

I was looking at an 87 Dakota with a blown 4 banger and 5 speed tranny, decent body for sale. The guy wants $300 but I think I can squeege him down lower. I have a 73 318 laying around in need of a good home. How hard would a swap like that be?

 

[HawaiiDuster]

Shouldn't be too hard, Schumacher makes mounts and other goodies for Dakota swaps :thumrigh:

 

[Mopardude]

Will that 4 cylinder, 5 speed work with a 318?

 

[HawaiiDuster]

Not sure on that, but as long as it can bolt up and you don't put too much power to it, it should work.

 

[Mopardude]

yea I am pretty much going to keep it stock a stock 318

 

[rabius75]

besides the torque, i dont think a stock 318 is packing enough punch to rip a gearbox up, unless the motor is rated at like, 90hp and the gearbox is barely good for that.. but as far as i know, GM is the only one bad about making weak transmissions

did you know GM had a 2.8 that put out like, 280hp (iirc), but they had to dumb it down to like, 210 for the tranny because it couldnt take it..
it was a long time ago that i read that article about hydramatic, but i remember the power numbers on the 2.8 had to be dropped like, 80hp.. i was amazed at the figure they put up for that sized motor, i remember that much