Mopar 318 to 360 Conversion - Transmission?

Question

I have a '97 dodge dakota 318 5-speed manual, I have a couple of questions.
1. I am looking to purchase a 360 and rebuild it. Will the 360 mount up to the 5-speed trans. I know that the factory did not offer this set-up.
2. If I go with the 360 will my throttle body assembly and fuel lines fit up?

Answer 1

yes everything is identical on that one,anything that will work on the 318 will work on the 360 ,its the same bolt pattern and block just a different bore and stroke,that's one of the easiest change overs right there that can be done,even the manifolds are the same,good luck on it,and merry x-mas.

Answer 2

Mopar 5 Speed Conversion

Answer 3

Don't know about your truck, but in the '70s and '80s the 318 was internally balanced and the 360 externally balanced. In other words, on the 318 both the crank and flywheel were balanced seperately. In other words, each was in balance. On the 360, the flywheel was balanced in such a manner that it counteracted the unbalanced crankshaft. Make a mistake and swap flywheels and after a lot of vibration you had a busted crankshaft, usually cracked in one of the main journals.

Better make sure you get the correct flywheel.

Answer 4

The harmonic balancer on the front of the crankshaft and the flywheels are not balanced the same.
Make sure you use the ones that came with the 360.
All else should fit.
The 318 throttle body should be fine.
The transmission will bolt right up.

Answer 5

i agree that the engines will bolt up the same but if i were you i would double check to make sure that the fly wheels are interchangabe because the 318 and the 360 fly wheels may be balaced differently.

Answer 6

easy swap. but you'll have to up grade the fuel injection, find a 360 throttle body off a 97 jeep Cherokee.

Answer 7

yes everything will fit they are the same basic motor only differeances are the bore and stroke