5.9l magnum swap questions

[75slant6]

You mention using a crosswind intake. Is that LA intake bolt pattern or Magnum bolt pattern? To my knowledge they don't make a magnum version. That may be an issue.

The crosswind intake is a dual pattern intake, fits both magnums and LAs

As far as the oil pan gasket, you can use the one piece magnum gasket with the la oil pan, you just need to take a hammer and dolly to the little corners at the front of the pan and make em flat like a magnum pan.

 

[KevinB]

The crosswind intake is a dual pattern intake, fits both magnums and LAs

As far as the oil pan gasket, you can use the one piece magnum gasket with the la oil pan, you just need to take a hammer and dolly to the little corners at the front of the pan and make em flat like a magnum pan.

Not much of an issue in my case, I don't have an LA oil pan! I'll just be buying the oem magnum oil pan with center sump

 

[KevinB]

I have a potential engine to look at...but have reservations about this one. should I start a new thread for it?

 

[75slant6]

Uh... Is there such a thing as a magnum center sump oil pan?

 

[KevinB]

Uh... Is there such a thing as a magnum center sump oil pan?

Here's one that's really expensive!

http://www.scramspeed.com/products/canton-oil-pan-pickup-for-sb-chrysler.html

I take it back, that one requires adapting anyway...I'll keep hunting, but yes, I may have to go with a 360LA pan

 

[KevinB]

Ok I'll go ahead and post in here about the potential engine I found.

Good news:
I can get it for $100, and it's local
disassmbled, vat tanked, and painted hemi orange
new cam bearings installed
Most parts are there to complete a motor

Bad news:
No cylinder heads (they were cracked, as I said I'm inclined to replace with EQ anyway)
Crank needs a polish (not a huge deal though)
Cylinders need to be bored...they are slightly out of spec, which also means new pistons

Talked to my machinist and he'll set me up with the following:
$225 to bore and install new pistons on the rods
$150 for new pistons

Other motors from junkyards are coming in at around $550. My machinist is inclined to think this is a good deal, even with the machining work (duh it's money for him, but he'd be doing work on whatever motor I got lol)

What do you guys think?

 

[gtsdude]

What pistons? KB107's are a decent upgrade over stock type. Seems like a decent deal if you are planning on a new set of heads anyway.

 

[KevinB]

Not sure about the Pistons, close to stock cr

 

[cudak888]

$150 and "close to stock compression ratio" sounds like stock replacements. Did he mention anything about rebalancing the crank for the new pistons?

-Kurt

 

[KevinB]

$150 and "close to stock compression ratio" sounds like stock replacements. Did he mention anything about rebalancing the crank for the new pistons?

-Kurt

He did not mention rebalancing, just a polish and possible grind if needed. I'm fine with stockers, as long as the bigger cam doesn't bleed off too much compression

 

[KevinB]

Any other opinions on the 360 block? I'll be looking at it in saturday

 

[cudak888]

Any other opinions on the 360 block? I'll be looking at it in saturday

Hard to say without seeing it in person and pricing the build out based on your budget. The EQ heads aren't going to make it any cheaper a build.

I considered them when I pulled a super-clean '89 LA 360 (with at least 154k on the clock as of 2003, according to MyCarfax) out of the junkyard for my build, and wound up scoring a perfect set of Magnum heads on Craigslist from a fellow parting with the spares off his third (!) Dakota R/T.

I couldn't see any cracks on visual inspection, and they get 150-160psi compression when cranking (not running) on the engine.

Frankly, I'm not worried about it. I dare say that the difference between adding a Mag 3.9L timing chain tensioner and GM HEI module to the engine over stock made more of a difference to smooth running than the difference between intact Magnum heads compared with a set that have the usual crack.

-Kurt

 

[KevinB]

Hard to say without seeing it in person and pricing the build out based on your budget. The EQ heads aren't going to make it any cheaper a build.

I considered them when I pulled a super-clean '89 LA 360 (with at least 154k on the clock as of 2003, according to MyCarfax) out of the junkyard for my build, and wound up scoring a perfect set of Magnum heads on Craigslist from a fellow parting with the spares off his third (!) Dakota R/T.

I couldn't see any cracks on visual inspection, and they get 150-160psi compression when cranking (not running) on the engine.

Frankly, I'm not worried about it. I dare say that the difference between adding a Mag 3.9L timing chain tensioner and GM HEI module to the engine over stock made more of a difference to smooth running than the difference between intact Magnum heads compared with a set that have the usual crack.

-Kurt

Incidentally the machinist said he had a new set of replacement heads (old casting style) for probably around $400 for the set. That may be the way to go

 

[cudak888]

Incidentally the machinist said he had a new set of replacement heads (old casting style) for probably around $400 for the set. That may be the way to go

"Old casting" as in factory Magnum heads, or LA heads?

If they've had a quality valve job done on them and the guides checked, that's a decent deal. No shipping, and no worry, provided they're done right.

-Kurt

 

[KevinB]

"Old casting" as in factory Magnum heads, or LA heads?

If they've had a quality valve job done on them and the guides checked, that's a decent deal. No shipping, and no worry, provided they're done right.

-Kurt

I'll know more when I bring him the block, but yes they are magnum. I'd trust the work if they were done at his shop, he's got a good rep, is very responsive, and people drive from Austin, about 1.25 hours, to have him do the work

 

[Lelo Dart]

FYI. 20 over stock pistons will weigh quite a bit more than the originals. Required rebalancing on my build.

 

[KevinB]

FYI. 20 over stock pistons will weigh quite a bit more than the originals. Required rebalancing on my build.

True, then I'm going to assume the price he gave me for new Pistons, block work, and crank work includes it

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Assume????? Really - good luck with that.

 

[KevinB]

Assume????? Really - good luck with that.

If it's not then it's not...what am I gonna do about it? He's already said a few other things he'll have to do are included in the price. Hell for all I know the new Pistons are dished to offset the weight and compression bump.

Really though, I might be able to get this long block together for less than $1500. I reserve the right to be optimistic.

 

[cudak888]

If it's not then it's not...what am I gonna do about it? He's already said a few other things he'll have to do are included in the price. Hell for all I know the new Pistons are dished to offset the weight and compression bump.

Really though, I might be able to get this long block together for less than $1500. I reserve the right to be optimistic.

While it may or may not help, allow me to shamelessly plug ;) my 5.9 swap thread (in a B-body, mind you), and all the details associated with it (including some comments about budget, seeing as I tried to pull it off as dirt cheap as possible). It's slightly different due to the roller cam LA bottom end, but in principle it's almost identical.

You'll have to get to page #2 or #3 before the build starts:
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=316085

-Kurt

 

[KevinB]

While it may or may not help, allow me to shamelessly plug ;) my 5.9 swap thread (in a B-body, mind you), and all the details associated with it (including some comments about budget, seeing as I tried to pull it off as dirt cheap as possible). It's slightly different due to the roller cam LA bottom end, but in principle it's almost identical.

You'll have to get to page #2 or #3 before the build starts:
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=316085

-Kurt

Thanks Kurt, I'll check it out