Need some 360 advice

[Lauterec]

Bought this hot rodded 78' Magnum XE a while back as my first car in my name. It always blew a little white smoke, which was expected for a 40 year old car, but the oil level never seemed to change. Then one day it had a really hard time starting and was misfiring like no other. Checking oil again and it's totally maxed out, obviously contaminated with coolant. I suspect the oil level never changed because coolant was leaking in as fast as it was burning it up, but I don't know for sure. I have a couple options. I have a complete 2002 Ram Van 3500 with a 360 Magnum, paid $200 for the whole van. Runs, 110k miles, no codes, lots of power, no knocks but it vibrates even in neutral. Likely due to it being incorrectly balanced or a bad motor mount considering the condition of the body.

My question is do I mess around with the LA 360 currently in the car? It for sure has a minimum of a bad head gasket, but it could have a cracked head or other more severe damage like bearings since the gasket was likely leaking for a while. Lean burn is long gone and replaced with aftermarket carb if that influences any opinions. Alternatively, do I swap in the 360 Magnum which I hope just needs minor adjustment on the balancer? And if so, do I swap it with its currently mated 4 speed auto? Or do I get a flexplate and mate it to the original 3 speed 727? Do I hook up the ECM and use fuel injection or get a carbureted manifold? I am curious towards this option because of the technology advancements in the Magnum.

I know both of these are most definitely a big can of worms but I have to start somewhere. This car is very sentimental to me since it was a dual effort to purchase with my long term girlfriend. I am trying to do what I can with very little funds and little experience as I am only 18, but I have my father to help me with this project who knows a little but not much more then me. Advice on how to proceed?

 

[Kern Dog]

I would much rather use the 2002 mill. The "Magnum" 5.9 series has better heads, more compression and a roller camshaft. Switch to a carbureted intake on the 5.9 and you'll have a 300 HP engine with a smooth idle.
Your vibration in the van could be as simple as a bad mount or the balance weight on the converter or flywheel falling off. A compression check might show you if it is related to a misfiring cylinder.

 

[Dan64]

I'm agree with Kern Dog . First thing you want to do with the 5.9 motor/ trans is to "know what you don't know" about it . Verify that it's a good engine to start with ,do a compression check, ect. I see that your'e a younger guy messing around with these older cars and that's great, this hobby needs more guys like you. I can't stress enough how important it is to plan out the whole swap (or any project) first. So many projects fail to be completed due to lack of planning , not knowing whats really involved to complete the project. See if you can find some build threads from guys that have done this swap and don't be afaid to p.m. them with questions you may have, most guys are happy to share the info you will need. Read up , gather your parts needed and then build the damn thing 100 times in your head before you even unbolt the hood.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

The oil pan and pickup tube will have to be swapped if you change the engines. The truck and van pans do not fit passenger cars. The sump is in a different location.

 

[rumblefish360]

The LA’s 360 oil pan will swap right onto the 5.9.
I would run with the 518, not the 904, this will allow you to swap rear gears in the future.
(The math works like this on gearing;
Rear ratio ax’s the over drive ratio equal the final drive ratio, or for an example, 3.55 X .69 = 2.13 or 4.30 X .69 = 2.96 final drive ratio.)

For a quick fix, I would just purchase gaskets from the head up. Head gaskets, intake gaskets, valve cover gaskets, exhaust gaskets. Swap them all out. Be careful on the exhaust bolts and end studs.

The Magnum swap is a really good one for later on down the line. Build as you wish and install it when your ready. You’ll need to shorten the driveshaft & purchase or create a transmission mount.
Here is food for thought... taken from the US Carroll web site.

 

[Don Frelier]

Put a new balancer on the 5.9 and I'm betting your vibration will go away. (Seen it)
The magnum swap is a good one. They are terrific.
Put a Hughes intake on it, Hughes cam.

 

[wyrmrider]

I'd the magnum and the od
but you could pull the heads and check your motor if a head gasket it would be easy
both are due for timing chains but I'd save cam till later
quick fix on the one and update the magnum as you will need intake anyway, get all the parts

 

[Don Frelier]

The 5.9 should already have a tensioner on it I haven't heard of timing chain problems with them. The la 360 yes.

 

[Kern Dog]

The LA’s 360 oil pan will swap right onto the 5.9.
I would run with the 518, not the 904, this will allow you to swap rear gears in the future.

Here is food for thought... taken from the US Carroll web site.

I think you meant US Cartool, right ?

 

[Lauterec]

Thank you all for your advice! I have decided to go ahead and plan around the magnum swap and have created new threads to avoid confusion in this one, I encourage any of you to go drop your two cents if you have the time! Thanks again.

Edit with links as requested.

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/5-9-360-magnum-swap-parts-questions.191693/

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/trans-advice-on-360-magnum.191695/

 

[rumblefish360]

The 5.9 should already have a tensioner on it I haven't heard of timing chain problems with them. The la 360 yes.

Timing chains will stretch. Mine did and the tensioner helped keep it tight but there were still issues with an over stretched chain. I replaced them both and presto!

I think you meant US Cartool, right ?

You betcha! Didn’t look/notice the auto correct.

Thank you all for your advice! I have decided to go ahead and plan around the magnum swap and have created new threads to avoid confusion in this one, I encourage any of you to go drop your two cents if you have the time! Thanks again.

Post a link to it.